Ward, Polamalu among NFL’s dirtiest players? Really?
It’s ironic that Steelers WR Hines Ward was named the NFL’s dirtiest player in an anonymous poll of NFL players. After all, Ward is the most personable, fan-friendly player on the Steelers’ roster.
Of course, Ward gets the nod in the poll because defensive players don’t like to be on the receiving end of crushing blocks, and the 5’11” Ward doesn’t hesitate to dish out punishment to cornerbacks, safeties, and linebackers alike. I recall one game in Jacksonville where Ward blocked a defensive lineman, so irritating the lineman in question that he committed a personal foul against Ward, which enabled a Pittsburgh drive to continue - a turning point in that game.
But Ward isn’t a dirty player. The devastating block on Bengals linebacker Keith Rivers last year wasn’t dirty, just a very physical play. In fact, I recall only one occasion when Ward delivered a hit that could be construed as “dirty”; he hit a Browns defensive back after the whistle in a game against Cleveland a few years back. That was over the line.
Meanwhile, Steelers’ safety Troy Polamalu also earned a spot on Sports Illustrated’s dirtiest player list, which is really shocking. Perhaps other players take offense at Polamalu’s tackling style; in run support he sometimes makes like a missle and attempts to cut down the ball-carrier below the knees.
Polamalu demonstrated a sense of humor when advised of the dubious distinction, quipping: “I always do my hair before the game.”
Jason is co-founder and editor of Failure magazine.
