Hanford Dixon was born on December 25, 1958 in Mobile, Alabama.  Hanford would be a three-sport star while at Theodore High School, lettering in football, basketball and track. On the football field he would be named All-Conference twice, as well as be named Most Valuable Defensive Back.

After high school, Hanford would accept the opportunity to play at the University of Southern Mississippi. While there, he would start all four years and would be named to the Sporting News All-America team as a senior.

In 1981, the Cleveland Browns would select Hanford with the twenty-second overall pick in the NFL Draft. He would spend the duration of his nine-year career with the Cleveland Browns as a cornerstone in the defensive backfield. Hanford would be named a First-Team All-Pro in 1986 and 1987, as well being named to the Pro-Bowl for the 1986-1988 seasons.

In 2009, he and teammate Frank Minnifield would be selected as the number two cornerback tandem in NFL history. Dixon and Minnifield are also credited with starting the “Dawg Pound” during training camp in 1985. In 2003, Hanford would be inducted into the Cleveland Browns Legends.

He currently ranks eighth in team history with 26 career interceptions.

Hanford currently resides in Avon Lake, Ohio. He is a real estate broker for Platinum Real Estate specializing in Commercial and Residential Sales.

In addition to Real Estate, Hanford also works as an analyst for Fox Sports Net where he covers the high school game of the week, the Browns Radio Network on ESPN and WOIO pre and post game show.

Hanford is the proud father of four children: sons Hanford Jr. and Kyle and daughters Marva and Hanna.