He played college football at the University of Alabama, where he twice received All-American honors, and was selected fourth overall by the Patriots in the 1973 NFL draft.

Named by Sports Illustrated magazine in 1981 as "the best offensive lineman of all time",[1] Hannah received nine Pro Bowl and seven first-team All-Pro selections.

His high school coach in football, wrestling and track was Luke Worsham, whom Hannah credited in his induction speech at the Pro Football Hall of Fame: "I want to talk to you about Major Luke Worsham who was my high school coach.

While considered somewhat short by NFL standards, Hannah made up for this with great speed and quickness as well as powerful legs.

[9] Along with tackle Leon Gray, the two formed what was generally considered the best guard/tackle tandem in the NFL during the mid to late 1970s.

Gray and Hannah also combined with tight end Russ Francis to form one of the strongest left-side trios in the league.

[10] The record breaking rushing attack of New England did not have a single 1,000 rusher, but did have four players run for more than 500 yards including quarterback Steve Grogan.

While concurrently serving as the city's youth development coordinator, Hannah led the Somerville team through one winless season.

He left to become a special assistant coach at his alma mater, Baylor School in Chattanooga, Tennessee, in 2005.

In the summer of 1972 after his junior year, Hannah married his high school sweetheart, Page Pickens, an Alabama cheerleader.