Jimmy Hannah

The following memorial to Hanna was penned by Cole, and helps explain his role in the success of one of the greatest football teams in Piggott High School history. It is fitting that this final tribute to Jimmy Hanna appear here on the sports page of The Piggott Times, just as the report of his final game did in the Sept. 11, 1969 edition.

JIMMY'S LAST GAME

By JOE COLE

For two seasons, Jimmy Hanna had worked hard to become a starter for the Piggott Mohawks. He was not athletic. He did not have an athletic build. His legs were skinny. He possessed what would be considered a 'slight' build. While he was not 'gifted' as an athlete, he was gifted in heart.

For two years, Jimmy had dreamed of being a starter on the football team, standing in the trenches with his closest friends, young men who had been Jimmy's closest friends since grade school.

In his sophomore and junior years, he had rarely missed a practice. He dressed out for every game and stood on the sidelines and cheered his best friends as they played. No one ever came off the field that he was not greeted by their ever optimistic friend and companion. He would always play a key roll in the practice squad, realizing that the more intensely he practiced, the better his team mates would perform. Those two seasons were prophetic in a sense, pointing toward what would become an historic team. And, he was going to be a part of it!

During his junior season, his coach began to toy with a nickname, "Hannapanna", he would say. Then, for whatever reason, "Panna Bear" seemed to stick.

One night during a team film session, someone asked the question, "Why Panna Bear"? To which someone responded, "Because they are so quick and strong"!

Jimmy always practiced hard. He was the consummate team player. In 'sports lingo', he always gave 110% (whatever that meant). He loved his team. He loved his team mates. He loved to see his friends make good plays, while he dreamed of being a part of all that being a 'starter' had to offer. Being a starter would validate him--give him value. Being a starter would gain the approval of those closest to him.

He sat on the sidelines his sophomore year while his team finished the season with a 9 -- 2 record. He watched from the sidelines his junior year as the team lost any claim to the district title as the result of a 33-0 'beat-down' by Corning on Thanksgiving Day, the last game of the season.

The Corning loss was one that everyone remembered, primarily due to the weather conditions. It was 32 degrees and the field was ankle deep in water. Without reservation, that game was one of the most memorable of any played--memorable for all the wrong reasons. It was the most miserable. To this day, that game, those two hours remain in the memories of those playing, the longest, coldest two hours ever experienced. The fact that the team suffered a 33-0 beat down did not help the attitudes of the players. But, then there was Jimmy. Jimmy was where he always was, standing on the sidelines and cheering his team and his team mates to victory. That loss cost the team the District 2-A championship. That loss proved to be the spring board that would put the Mohawks into the title run and Mohawk history for Jimmy's senior season. And, he was going to be ready. He was going to start. He was going to play. He was going to stand beside his best friends and be a part of a dream that he had shared with his friends for the past six years.

Football was more than a game for Jimmy. Football was a refuge. It was a place where he was accepted. It was a place where he was safe. He was with friends that he trusted and cared. In some respects, his team and his team mates were like family. This extension of his family was something that was needed. The team gave him value. It made him forget some of the things that had adversely impacted his life. It made him forget his past. It gave him life. It gave him optimism. It gave him hope. This year, his senior year, he would earn that coveted letterman's jacket with the leather sleeves. This year, he would prove his value and worth. This year, he would really earn the respect of his team mates. This year, his life would be different! He could now forget about those things in his past. He could forget the scars that life had brought. He could put the hurt behind him. He could prove to his family and friends that he had value.

Jimmy spent the summer before his senior season getting into shape. When that opening day of practice came, he was in the best condition of his life. He had the optimism that he would start. He would earn his place on the starting roster. He would earn his letter. He would earn his place on this team. He would earn the respect of others.

As the opening game approached, Jimmy quietly hid his disappointment. He did not earn a starting position on offense. Nor did he earn a starting position on defense. He did earn a starting position on the kicking team. For now, that would have to do. For now, he would work even harder. At least, he was a 'starter' and he was playing for his team and standing with his team mates. His disappointment would not dampen his spirit. His disappointment would not prevent him from cheering his team and his team mates. Until his special team was called, he would continue to maintain his place on the sidelines and cheer those that he had come to love and trust. But, when the call came for special teams, he would be ready! He would play!

The opening game was a home game against the Manila Lions. The game was a rout. The Mohawks scored several touchdowns; and, each touchdown would be followed by a kick-off. And, with each kick-off, Jimmy would get to play.

On the first kick-off he ran all out, ever optimistic that he would be the one to make the tackle; then came the second; and, the third. With each kick-off, he was coming to the reality that he was finally a part of the Mohawk football team.

On his fourth kick-off, he remained in his pursuit lane as coached until the receiver committed. He sprinted to the ball carrier, only to see the return taken out of bounds on the 35 yard line, in front of the Manila bench. He let his momentum carry him with the play, out of bounds--out of play. As he relaxed, he felt his legs go out from under him. He had been clipped from the side as he stood on the Manila sideline. Then he felt the pain, physically and emotionally. His season was over!

Call it a dirty play. Call it an accident. Call it the result of an overzealous player. Call it a fluke. Call it whatever you want. Jimmy called it the end of his season.

Jimmy had suffered torn ligaments and cartilage. With one single play, he had lost his chance to achieve the goals and attain the dream that he had for his senior season. It hurt his friends to look at him. Though his injury was incredibly painful, his tears were the result of him losing his chance to play. His team mates could look at his face and see his despair. He had lost any chance to prove his value (at least in his mind). The next time that Jimmy would return to the playing field, he would return on crutches and in a cast.

The surgery was successful in repairing the damage to Jimmy's knee. After a couple of weeks of in-home rehab, he returned to the Mohawk practice field. He never missed another practice. Every day, he would be there urging his friends on to victory. Every game, he would assume his place on the sidelines cheering for his best friends. Whenever anyone came off the field, Jimmy remained, steadfast as always, being the first to encourage them. Throughout the season, he remained one of the anchors of the team.

His friend, Rick, anchored the defense from the linebacker position. His friend, Jim, anchored the offense as quarterback. His friend Tim anchored the place kicking position. He friend, Bob, anchored the punting. His friend, Bill, anchored the line. Jimmy, ever so faithful and steadfast, anchored the heart and soul of the team.

When the day came for team pictures, Jim stood in street clothes--but he stood with the team. There could not be any doubt that he was a member of that team.

On the final game of the season, Jimmy stood with two of his closest friends and fellow seniors, as honorary captain in the biggest game of the season, the rivalry against the Corning Bobcats. The coin toss was called and Jimmy announced the end of the field that the Mohawks would defend. He then retired to his usual place on the side lines and proceeded to cheer his team to a 28-0 rout of the Mohawks main rival. He was a part of the pay-back from the previous season. He was a part of the team that had won the District --A championship that would represent Piggott High School and the City of Piggott in the State Play-Offs. He would be a part of history. He would be a part of the first team to play in the State Play-Offs. He would be a part of the team that would play on the college field of Arkansas State University.

The Mohawks would go on to lose their last game of the 1969 season and with that loss, any bid for the State title. Jimmy was very quick to remind his team mates that the only reason the Mohawks did not win the State Championship was because he didn't play!

*

As the years passed, some of the best memories of Jimmy would be those surrounding his love for his friends and his 'ever-ready' desire to cheer them on to victory.

His friends would sometimes sit helplessly by, while Jimmy would continue to question his value and worth. He would fail to see the value of his relationships. He struggled with accepting the fact that his friends really loved him for who he was and not what he did. He struggled with the faith to see his weakness turn to such incredible strength.

At the Homecoming Game of the Piggott, Mohawks in 2005, Jimmy, his team and team mates once again took the field in recognition of the years that they had spent together, playing a game of football. No one could possibly know that this night would be the last that most would ever see their old friend and greatest fan.

Jimmy would later succumb to liver failure and lung failure and quietly pass into a coma and on to death. He died on June 9, 2008 without coming to a full knowledge or appreciation of the impact that he had on his friends, class mates and team mates. He could never come to grips with the reality that he was loved more for his relationships that he ever could for his 'works' or feats of athleticism on the playing field.

Jimmy has now become a part of that of that 'great cloud of witnesses' whose weakness was turned to strength and who became powerful. He has once again assumed his place cheering us on to victory in this, HIS LAST GAME!