PITTSBURGH -- According to a Sports Illustrated poll of NFL players, Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward is considered to be the dirtiest player in the NFL.

The magazine asked 296 players the question during training camp this year, and Ward took the top spot, followed by former teammate and outside linebacker Joey Porter.

Porter, who now plays for the Miami Dolphins, was followed by Washington Redskins defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth, Cincinnati Bengals safety Roy Williams and Tennessee Titans center Kevin Mawae.

Titans cornerback Cortland Finnegan, Rams guard Richie Incognito, Falcons guard Harvey Dahl, Steelers safety Troy Polamalu and Vikings defensive end Jared Allen rounded out the top 10.

Ward, the all-time leading receiver in Steelers history, was most likely voted dirtiest player due to his "play hard" football attitude. The always-smiling receiver won't hesitate to throw a block on an opponent and is widely known for his bone-crushing (or breaking) hits.

But seriously, how does the league vote a player who is known for crying after winning (or losing) big games the dirtiest player? Maybe it has something to do with the monster, season-ending hit Ward delivered on Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Keith Rivers, which resulted in a broken jaw last year.

Following the season, the NFL instituted a rule dubbed the "Hines Ward Rule," which states that the initial force of a blindside block can't be delivered by a helmet, forearm or shoulder to an opponent's head or neck.

An illegal blindside block will bring a 15-yard penalty.