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SI answers the question: Who is the dirtiest player in the NFL?
5-Nov-2009 Written by: Matt Bultman
Sports Illustrated polled 296 NFL players asking hte question, "who is the dirtiest player?"
It’s official. NFL players believe that < a href="http://www.nfl.com/players/hinesward/profile?id=WAR179227">Hines Ward is the dirtiest player in the NFL.
According to a survey by Sports Illustrated, of 296 NFL players, the Pittsburgh receiver gathered 11.6 percent of the votes, the most of any player by 5 percent.
Redskins’ defensive tackle Albert Hainsworth came in second, with 6 percent of the votes.
Ward has a history of physical play and opponents don’t always appreciate the extra contact. Perhaps Ward’s most infamous hit occurred last season when he broke Cincinnati linebacker Keith Rivers’ jaw.
Cincinnati safety Chinedum Ndukwe wasn’t impressed with Ward’s hit on his teammate saying it was "Too bad [Ward] can't hit someone face up ... It's too bad he has to wait until he's not looking to get him. It's unfortunate that's the type of guy he is.”
During an interview with Sports Illustrated last year, Wards was surprisingly unapologetic for the various hits he had delivered.
"It's hard to sit there and tell everybody it's a violent sport but tone it down a little. When I go across the middle, those guys aren't going to tackle me softly and lay me down to the ground. That's not football. I find it ironic that now you see a receiver delivering blows, and it's an issue. But I haven't changed. I've been doing it this way for 11 years."
The poll was conducted in September and some well-known names showed up on the list. Linebackers Ray Lewis and Shawn Merriman as well as quarterback Vince Young who received one vote.
