Green Bay Packers: Who wore #79 best?

Who wore #79 best?

John Maxymuk, writing before Pickett joined the Packers, selected Dave Hanner to feature in his book.

Hanner, also known as “Hawg,” was with the Packers during three phases of his career – logging 44 years with the franchise. Hanner spent 13 years as a player, 16 years as an assistant coach, and 15 years as a scout.

Here’s what Maxymuk said about Hanner:

"When Dave arrived at Packers training camp as a fifth-round pick in 1952, no one envisioned him devoting 44 years of his life to the team …” In hat first training camp, veteran start Tony Canadeo took a liking to the amiable and hard-working Hanner and helped teach him how to be a professional. Canadeo also gave Dave the nickname “Hawg,” which was fitting because he was raised on a farm, and at 6-2, 260 pounds was a big man or the time. Hanner would be known as Hawg rom then on. He would experience immediate success and go to the Pro Bowl both in his second and third years and be named All Pro in 1957 and 1959. Lombardi … looked on Hanner favorably, calling him by his given name “Joel.” Lombardi also spoke highly of Hanner: ‘He is thirty-two now and it is going to be a sad day in Green Bay when the years get him, because he has only been All Pro five times [sic] but there is nobody on this squad who is better liked than big, easy-going, quiet Dave with that chaw of tobacco  in his right cheek and his constant weight problem.’ Wayne Simmons, helped the Packers win a twelfth championship. Former Packers GM Ron Wolf  said of Hanner, “It was tremendous for me personally to work with him; I’ve learned an awul lot.” Fellow scout, former Packers scouting director and current Kansas City Chiefs GM John Dorsey added, “That man wears the Packer ‘G’ with more pride than anyone Ive ever met.”"

Next: Top five wide receivers

"The following list includes all Packers players who have worn #79 – provided by Pro Football Reference:"