Steelers Ward: 'I'm not going to change the way I play the game of football'

November 8, 6:37 AMPittsburgh Sports ExaminerMatt Pawlikowski

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The Steelers Hines Ward has been named dirtiest player in the NFL, something he is surprised about.
AP/File Photo

He holds the longest consecutive games with a catch streak, has a Super Bowl MVP and in his early thirties is on pace for the best season of his career.

And now yet another honor, this one dubious at best, Steeler wideout Hines Ward has been named the dirtiest player in the NFL by a recent poll conducted by Sports Illustrated.

One of the more physical players in the game, Ward had a rule named after him due to his breaking Bengals Keith Rivers jaw last season.

"I don't know whether to be happy about it or be mad about bout it," Ward said. "How can I be the dirtiest player on the field, a little old wideout with no speed, it's kind of weird."

Albert Haynesworth received six percent of the vote compared to Ward getting 11.6 percent and tied former Steeler Joey Porter for second on the list.

When brought to Ward's attention this week about beating Porter, he found humor in that fact.

"Wow I beat Joey?" Ward said with a huge laugh. " That's a big honor to beat Joey Porter, its nothing to be proud about, but to be a dirty player, to be a 33 year old guy, its a big honor though."

The poll was conducted by 296 players from around the NFL in September. Ward says he apologizes to people if they feel that way, but said he has no plans to chance his style of play, which epitomizes the mentality of the Steel City, on the field.

"I'm not going to change the way I play this game," Ward said. "If people don't like this I apologize to them now, but I'm not going to change the way I play this game."

Another Steeler also made the list, and its someone that you wouldn't expect to see there. All-Pro safety Troy Polamalu was also on the list getting 3.7 percent of the vote.

Told about it, Polamalu said he tries to play the game hard and joked about being dirty saying, " I always make sure to do my hair every game."

Ward though, seemed stunned they would put him on the list.

"Troy being on this list," Ward said with a puzzled look. "Wow, that's a big surprise. I didn't get to vote for anything, but Troy being on that list is a big shocker."