Shutdown Corner - NFL

Is Hines Ward(notes) simply a guy who likes to play hard or a cheap shot artist? According to NFL players, it's the latter.

Sports Illustrated asked 296 players who they thought was the dirtiest player in the league and the Pittsburgh Steelers receiver was a resounding victor, earning nearly double the votes of the next highest player. 

I was always on Ward's side when it came to the dirty/hard argument, but his block on Keith Rivers last year swayed me to the other side. It's a gray area though; if Ward was on my favorite team I'd defend him to the death.

Below is a partial list of vote-getters, their percentage of the vote and a brief description of their dirtiness. You'll find that there is literally nothing surprising about the results of the poll, other than that Vince Young(notes) got a vote. (What, he throws his clipboard at people?)

1. Hines Ward (11.6 percent): One of two players on this list to have a rule informally named after themselves, Ward is known for lighting up defenders with a bit too much gusto after an interception or fumble.

2. Albert Haynesworth(notes) (6.0 percent): We can safely assume that Haynesworth earned the vote of Andre Gurode

4. Roy Williams (5.1 percent): Even though the horse collar rule was made to protect the league's quarterbacks from the former Dallas Cowboys "star", I had never really thought that Williams was dirty. I just figured he did it because he couldn't tackle.

7. Richie Incognito(notes) (3.7 percent): You know that famous baseball-related bar trivia question that asks how many ways a batter can reach first base? Incognito's dossier reads like a list of all the possible ways to accrue a personal foul.

Even though he retired last spring, former Chargers safety Rodney Harrison(notes) received three votes, thus showing that dirtiness can live on in perpetuity. 

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  1. Steeler in Cowboy country
    1. Posted by Steeler in Cowboy country Wed Nov 04, 2009 7:37 pm EST

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    Lighting up defenders with too much gusto? Is that possible?
  2. sam spade
    2. Posted by sam spade Wed Nov 04, 2009 7:44 pm EST

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    But that would put Albert is the dirtiest. I hate that guy. I call him Albert "the Butcher" Haynesworth because when he stepped on Andre's head, you saw more blood than in a butcher's shop. He has to be #1.
  3. gary c
    3. Posted by gary c Wed Nov 04, 2009 7:54 pm EST

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    I guess when a receiver breaks a linebackers jaw someone is going to lable something on him. I don't agree with article i think other players are just not as talented as Hines. Put a diper on the 396 WHINERS and if they misbehave let Hines spank them. LOL
  4. A Polamalu Fan
    4. Posted by A Polamalu Fan Wed Nov 04, 2009 7:54 pm EST

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    How does Jared Allen get no votes?
  5. cheetosrtasty
    5. Posted by cheetosrtasty Wed Nov 04, 2009 7:55 pm EST

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    Maybe vince young voted for himself so he could get on a list for something special during his playing career. HOF is a stretch for him but to be a half time starter/ half time backup qb to get named in a list of dirty players...OUTSTANDING
  6. Good Guy
    6. Posted by Good Guy Wed Nov 04, 2009 8:25 pm EST

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    what about Brett Favre? The guy throws a pick and then goes low on a guy, or runs down the field with AD, then blocks a guy low... he needs to start going for the waist.
  7. mastewa
    7. Posted by mastewa Wed Nov 04, 2009 8:28 pm EST

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    Dear Non NFL Steelers, Please leave your skirts @ home when you play the Men of Steel!
  8. Chris
    8. Posted by Chris Wed Nov 04, 2009 8:33 pm EST

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    Good Guy, I thought about Favre too, but that play was in the preseason, after this poll was announced. However, one play makes not a dirty player, I guess.
  9. John
    9. Posted by John Wed Nov 04, 2009 8:38 pm EST

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    I think that people are just afraid of getting hit by Ward... That's the only reason the rule exists and the only reason he appears on this list. Frankly, anyone who doesn't keep their head up or doesn't expect to have contact in a game of FOOTBALL (not cricket) deserves a wake-up hit. Don't take the job if you can't earn the paycheck.
  10. Kris B
    10. Posted by Kris B Wed Nov 04, 2009 8:39 pm EST

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    gary, I don`t agree with you at all. Boldin is concidered the toughest receiver in the leauge, and he`s not concidered dirty, why cause he doesen`t take cheap shots at defenceless players like Ward.....Ward is THE DIRTIEST player in the leauge, and only a STEALers fan would defend him......
  11. Irish Bastard
    11. Posted by Irish Bastard Wed Nov 04, 2009 8:49 pm EST

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    LMAO....What does it say about the Defence players in this day and age when WRs are harder hitters aka (dirty players) ? I tell you what it says about the D-Players (THEY ARE PUZZYZ) !
    What a joke . Whos 3,5,6 ?
    Punters ? JK
    As Sir Jack Lambert said about QBs PUT DRESSES ON THEM (meaning QBs ) Well Sir Jack maybe the D-Players should put them on too or wear red jerseys when they play so these hard hitting WRs dont hit them ! lol
  12. vertskate900
    12. Posted by vertskate900 Wed Nov 04, 2009 8:49 pm EST

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    Not really a Steelers fan, but I love Ward's style of play. If the rest of these pu$$ies can stand in line and cash multi-million dollar checks, than they should be prepared for a guy like Ward.
    Steelers baby, please expose the Broncos on Monday night. Gonna be a good one!
  13. Lotus
    13. Posted by Lotus Wed Nov 04, 2009 9:04 pm EST

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    @ Polamalu Fan, if you read the whole article you will see that both Jared Allen and Polamalu are in the top 10.
    I feel badly for Rivers and I am not a Steelers fan. But Ward's hit was clean. That's football.
  14. nelson95
    14. Posted by nelson95 Wed Nov 04, 2009 9:10 pm EST

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    Dirty 30
  15. Dmnted
    15. Posted by Dmnted Wed Nov 04, 2009 9:26 pm EST

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    Ward gets voted cause he lights up Defenders like they light up Offensive players....they vote for him cause he makes them look stupid. If Ward was a safety......everyone would love those hits...(well, not the ones getting hit).
  16. Dmnted
    16. Posted by Dmnted Wed Nov 04, 2009 9:30 pm EST

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    Funny on how Rodney Harrison gets brought up at the end for being dirty....he says ex-Charger...last I saw he played for the Pats for years. (Yes I know he played for the Chargers first)
  17. kniddy171
    17. Posted by kniddy171 Wed Nov 04, 2009 10:06 pm EST

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    i think ward is legit. he plays the game with more enthusiasm than anyone ive ever seen. and this is coming from a browns fan! what about bill romanowski?
  18. Master MS
    18. Posted by Master MS Wed Nov 04, 2009 10:19 pm EST

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    Ward's position is entirely due to the skewed way that defenders look at football. In their minds, the only legitimate hits are the ones that they and their colleagues on the defense make. Offensive players shouldn't be allowed to hit, and if they do, then it's "dirty."
    The infamous Keith Rivers hit...way I look at it? Ward did exactly what Keith Rivers was TRYING to do to Ward's teammate: hit him as hard as he possibly could. Unfortunately for Rivers, he had a glass jaw.
    Someone on local radio made this point: "Why is it that we accept the commonly repeated phrase, 'Receivers have to have their head on a swivel?' Why don't defensive players also have to have their head on a swivel? Seems to me that Ward is just dishing out what he's been taking for years."
    Mind you, I live in the Detroit market, so it's not like the guy on my local radio is a Steelers fan. And I thought he made a superb point.
  19. Master MS
    19. Posted by Master MS Wed Nov 04, 2009 10:22 pm EST

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    "Boldin is concidered the toughest receiver in the leauge...."
    He is? I watch a lot of NFL related TV and I don't think I've EVER heard a single analyst, "expert," or talking head make that claim.
    Then again, I see from your photo that you're a Cardinals fan. Maybe Boldin is "concidered" the toughest receiver in the "leauge" by Cardinal fans.
  20. steelers6
    20. Posted by steelers6 Wed Nov 04, 2009 10:46 pm EST

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    what a joke every one of those guys they interveiwed would give thier left nut to have ward on thier teamand fot that legal hit breaking that guys jaw, KEEP YOUR HEAD UP SON and be aware of where you are at all times on the feild this isnt popwarner football
  21. UBMEAN2
    21. Posted by UBMEAN2 Wed Nov 04, 2009 11:13 pm EST

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    i guess ray lewis kicking a bengal player a couple weeks back is ok, as opposed to leveling a linebacker who is getting ready to knock one of your teammates out if he has the chance.
  22. Brazillian Cubs fan
    22. Posted by Brazillian Cubs fan Wed Nov 04, 2009 11:34 pm EST

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    I though Rodney Harrison was Patriot! Oh wait, he's both. I never new that.
  23. jamesbyname63
    23. Posted by jamesbyname63 Thu Nov 05, 2009 12:25 am EST

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    Ward is dirty, and a gloater... the hit he put on Rivers was above the neck with his forearm/elbow right into the side of his head. Now, why should that be legal when he could have easily made a very effective block to the torso, especially because Rivers didn't see him coming? It's obvious that Ward is out to play dirty, when you look at the way TRULY great blockers go about their job with precision and technique, and then you watch him play...? Ward, like alot of the the steelers has no class or humility whatsoever. There's nothing more annoying than someone who makes as much money as he does going about it with so little dignity. I love the sport, but I hate the egos, and no I would not appreciate it if we had a player that carried himself the way he does. Steelers have no class, and never have- just look at their quarterback who's always sporting his hat backwards..just like Tony Romo.. what is Ben, like 30 now? What a dork...
  24. lloyd329
    24. Posted by lloyd329 Thu Nov 05, 2009 1:26 am EST

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    " 3. Posted by gary c Wed Nov 04, 2009 7:54 pm EST Report Abuse
    I guess when a receiver breaks a linebackers jaw someone is going to lable something on him. I don't agree with article i think other players are just not as talented as Hines. Put a diper on the 396 WHINERS and if they misbehave let Hines spank them. LOL "
    Actually 296 players, but I agree with you. 296 players is what? 5 1/2 teams of 32? Where were the players from? Cincy, Balt, Clvd, and other teams the Steelers played in the last 12 months? Take a poll on all 32 teams then post the results.
    " 10. Posted by Kris B Wed Nov 04, 2009 8:39 pm EST Report Abuse
    gary, I don`t agree with you at all. Boldin is concidered the toughest receiver in the leauge, and he`s not concidered dirty, why cause he doesen`t take cheap shots at defenceless players like Ward.....Ward is THE DIRTIEST player in the leauge, and only a STEALers fan would defend him...... "
    And your post just turned into meaning absolutely NOTHING when you typed STEAL. You don't agree with Gary because you are a jealous HATER of the 6 time SB champs
    "23. Posted by jamesbyname63 Thu Nov 05, 2009 12:25 am EST Report Abuse
    Ward is dirty, and a gloater... the hit he put on Rivers was above the neck with his forearm/elbow right into the side of his head. Now, why should that be legal when he could have easily made a very effective block to the torso, especially because Rivers didn't see him coming? It's obvious that Ward is out to play dirty, when you look at the way TRULY great blockers go about their job with precision and technique, and then you watch him play...? Ward, like alot of the the steelers has no class or humility whatsoever. There's nothing more annoying than someone who makes as much money as he does going about it with so little dignity. I love the sport, but I hate the egos, and no I would not appreciate it if we had a player that carried himself the way he does. Steelers have no class, and never have- just look at their quarterback who's always sporting his hat backwards..just like Tony Romo.. what is Ben, like 30 now? What a dork... "
    "Ward, like alot of the the steelers has no class or humility whatsoever. There's nothing more annoying than someone who makes as much money as he does going about it with so little dignity."
    Like alot of the Steelers? Well, there's nothing more annoying than someone who hates on the Steelers becaus ethey are JEALOUS of their success. Maybe you shoul have a little dignity when it comes to if you don't have nothing positive to say keep your trap shut. Don't worry about hoe Ben or Tony wear their hats. Maybe you should get out of the closet and take a look at other young mean their age. Again, nothing positive to say.........Now who's the dork?

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