10 greatest New England Patriots of all time

FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 04: A detail as Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots communicates a play at the line of scrimmage in the AFC Wild Card Playoff game against the Tennessee Titans at Gillette Stadium on January 04, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /

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CLEVELAND, OH – OCTOBER 6: Offensive lineman John Hannah #73 of the New England Patriots blocks as quarterback Tony Eason drops back to pass during a game against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Municipal Stadium on October 6, 1985 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Browns defeated the Patriots 24-20. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images) /

2. G John Hannah

The fourth-overall pick in the 1973 NFL Draft from the University of Alabama, massive John Hannah toyed with opponents on a steady basis for more than a decade with in the employ of the New England Patriots. He played and started 183 regular-season contests from 1973-85.

Hannah’s final game with the franchise came in Super Bowl XX vs. the Chicago Bears. It all added up to nine Pro Bowl invitations while earning All-Pro honors seven times in his final 10 years in the league. He was one of the great forces on the offensive line.

“To be great, you have to forget about pain,” said Hannah (via the Pro Football Hall of Fame). “If it’s not going to hurt you permanently, it’s cheating your teammates if you don’t play.”

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