Poll: Hines Ward the NFL's dirtiest player

NEW YORK, Nov. 5 (UPI) -- A Sports Illustrated poll of 296 players indicates his peers see Pittsburgh wide receiver Hines Ward as the NFL's dirtiest player.

The poll, conducted in September, represented less than 18 percent of the league's active players, but at 11.6 percent, Ward, a 12-year veteran, easily outdistanced Washington Redskins defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth and Miami Dolphins linebacker Joey Porter, who at 6 percent, shared second place for the dubious honor.

"He's one of those guys when you say tough, physical football player, his face is probably right there in the dictionary," Denver Broncos Coach Josh McDaniels told the Pittsburgh Tribune Review Wednesday when he heard about the poll.

Ward, 33, he was fined $15,000 last October back-to-back weeks for plays that weren't penalized, and later, broke the jaw of Cincinnati linebacker Keith Rivers during a down-field block that also did not lead to a penalty.

Rivers' season ended on the play.

Cincinnati safety Roy Williams (5.1 percent); Tennessee center Kevin Mawae (4.6); Tennessee cornerback Cortland Finnegan (4.2); St. Louis guard Richie Incognito (3.7); Atlanta guard Harvey Dahl (3.7); Pittsburgh safety Troy Polamalu (3.7); and Minnesota defensive end Jared Allen (3.2) completed the poll's Top 10.

The Broncos play the Steelers at Denver Monday night.