Some NFL players just don’t know that there are lines you cannot cross.
Football is a physical and often violent sport. Injuries happen all the time. Freak accidents occur too. It’s part of the game.
But it’s worse when a player intends to injure another, especially when it happens on more than one occasion. All 32 NFL teams have had that ONE guy that just couldn’t learn how to keep it clean.
Here is the dirtiest player in the history of all 32 NFL teams.
Arizona Cardinals: Conrad Dobler
The three-time Pro Bowl offensive guard was among the NFL’s most feared players during the anything-goes football days of the ‘70s.
Sports Illustrated once listed Dobler as the dirtiest player in professional football. He was accused of dishing out dirty hits to players after whistles, and some suggested that he tried to injure players on purpose.
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Dobler defended his style of play and denied the idea that he was dirty, but his actions suggested otherwise.
Atlanta Falcons: Dunta Robinson
Even though Dunta Robinson only spent two seasons with the Atlanta Falcons, he did more than enough to assert himself as the dirtiest player in franchise history.
During a 2010 game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Robinson was fined $50,000 for hitting a defenseless DeSean Jackson. One year later, the league fined him when he hit Jeremy Maclin in another game against the Eagles.
Robinson was out of the NFL after the 2013 season.
Baltimore Ravens: Ray Lewis
The two-time Super Bowl champion is among the greatest NFL defensive players of all-time, but it’s impossible to deny that the 13-time Pro Bowler was guilty of some dirty plays on the field.
In 2009, Lewis was given a $25,000 for two incidents during a 2009 contest against the Cincinnati Bengals. One saw him dish out a dangerous head shot on Chad Ochocinco. The other incident, according to the NFL, saw Lewis kick a player on the opposition.
Lewis struck plenty of fear into the hearts of his opponents. His aggressive style of play is what made him dangerous, but once in a while, you could definitely say he took things a little too far.
Buffalo Bills: Shawn Merriman
The three-time Pro Bowl linebacker played three seasons for the Buffalo Bills from 2010 to 2012.
Merriman had a reputation for being a dirty player throughout his career, both with the Bills and Chargers. A 2009 September player poll conducted by Sports Illustrated saw Merriman land 2.3 percent of votes for the league’s dirtiest player.
Carolina Panthers: Josh Norman
The Panthers haven’t had many dirty players throughout their history, but Josh Norman certainly stood out during his 2015 Pro Bowl season. Remember that whole incident with Odell Beckham Jr. during a Week 15, 2015 game?
Norman and Beckham exchanged dirty hits on each other throughout the game. Norman’s physical style of play worked throughout the year, but Beckham decided he had enough of it. Norman was given a $26,0044 fine for his actions.
Cincinnati Bengals: Vontaze Burfict
He might go down as the single, most dirty NFL player of all-time. And that’s a shame, because Burfict had the talent and skill set to be a perennial Pro Bowl linebacker.
He’s racked up numerous fines and suspensions throughout his career. His head shot on Antonio Brown cost the Bengals a 2015 playoff game against Pittsburgh. Burfict was suspended for the first three games of 2016 because of his constant violations.
He was also fined for vicious hits on the likes of Greg Olsen, Cam Newton and Ben Roethlisberger.
It’s amazing that the guy has lasted in the league this long. An expulsion seems inevitable.
Chicago Bears: Dick Butkus
The legendary Chicago Bears linebacker played from 1965 to ‘73, in an era where defensive players could get away with just about anything compared to today.
Hall of Famer Deacon Jones once said that Butkus “tried to put you in the cemetery, not the hospital,” whenever he hit his opponent.
MacArthur Lane, who played for the rival Green Bay Packers, once said he’d prefer to go “one -on-one with a grizzly bear” instead of Butkus.
Back then, Butkus wasn’t really criticized much for his style of play. It was accepted in those days. No way it would work in today’s NFL.
Cleveland Browns: T.J. Ward
The Cleveland Browns haven’t had many stars on their team during the 21st century, but the former Pro Bowl safety was quite the impact player on defense.
That said, Ward was also a vicious hard-hitting safety during his time with the Browns. He was given a $15,000 fine for an ugly head hit during a 2010 game on Jordan Shipley, who suffered a concussion.
And during a 2013 game against the Patriots, Ward hit tight end Rob Gronkowski below the knees in an attempt to tackle him. Gronk tore his ACL and was done for the year.
Ward’s dirty play carried over to Denver when he signed with the Broncos in 2014.
Dallas Cowboys: Kevin Gogan
The three-time Pro Bowl offensive lineman was part of two Super Bowl championship teams in Dallas.
But Gogan is better remembered for being one of the game’s dirtiest players in history. He had a reputation for tripping and even punching his opponents. Even when he left Dallas, Gogan was still a dirty player — getting ejected in the 1998 Pro Bowl for kicking a player in the groin.
Denver Broncos: Aqib Talib
The Denver Broncos signed Talib during the 2014 offseason in hopes that he would boost their secondary. Mission accomplished.
Talib earned four Pro Bowl selections with the Broncos and helped them win a Super Bowl 50 championship. Talib’s aggressive style of play landed him in some trouble, however.
He was suspended one game for poking Dwayne Allen in the eye during a 2015 game. Two years later, Talib got into a massive brawl with Oakland Raiders receiver Michael Crabtree, leading to one-game suspensions for both.
Detroit Lions: Ndamukong Suh
Suh’s 2010 rookie season was overshadowed by numerous fines and suspensions, including dirty facemask incident on Jake Delhomme. In a 2011 Thanksgiving game against the NFC North foe Green Bay Packers, Suh stomped on the arm of Evan Dietrich-Smith and was ejected for his actions. Suh was then hit with a two-game suspension.
A year later, Suh kicked Matt Schaub in the groin during another Thanksgiving game, for which he was fined. Suh racked up more fines for the Lions during the 2013 season.
Suh also got into trouble for stepping on Aaron Rodgers’ leg during a 2014 contest, though his one-game suspension was reversed. At least Suh was a bit more clean turing his time with the Miami Dolphins.
Green Bay Packers: Charles Martin
After spending time in the CFL, Charles Martin joined the Green Bay Packers in 1984. But instead of growing into a key player on their defense, he went down as the dirtiest player in their history.
It all happened during a 1986 game against the Chicago Bears. Martin reportedly had his own “hit list” of Bears players before the contest.
After Jim McMahon of the Bears threw an interception, Martin picked him up and bodyslammed McMahon to the ground. The latter was injured and done for the season, while Martin was hit with a two-game suspension.
Houston Texans: Andre Johnson
The youngest NFL franchise hasn’t employed many dirty players. As such, we’ll give this one to future Hall of Fame inductee Andre Johnson — who made headlines during a 2010 confrontation with Courtland Finnegan of the Tennessee Titans.
Johnson snatched Finnegan’s helmet off his head and punched him in the head/neck area. The Pro Bowl wideout and Finnegan were kicked out of the game and hit with $25,000 fines, although they managed to avoid suspensions.
Indianapolis Colts: Erik Walden
Like the Texans, the Colts haven’t really employed any players who were dirty on the. However, former safety Erik Walden deserves a spot on this list following a disturbing action during a 2013 game against the Tennessee Titans.
Walden grabbed Delanie Walker’s helmet and took it off his head. Walden then proceeded to head-butt Walker — thus receiving a one-game suspension. He was also fined $27,562 for making contact with a referee. That’s a big no-no, Erik.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Jalen Ramsey
Welp, the Jaguars traded Ramsey to the Los Angeles Rams during the 2019 season. That ended his chance to go down as the greatest Jaguar of all-time. But oh well, simply being the dirtiest player in franchise history will do!
Like any other physical and aggressive corner, Ramsey’s style of play made him a fair share of enemies. Of course, many remember Ramsey’s heated confrontation with AJ Green during a 2017 game, in which they exchanged punches.
Ramsey’s big mouth doesn’t help his reputation as one of the NFL’s dirtiest players either.
Kansas City Chiefs: Marcus Peters
Peters earned Pro Bowl Selections in his first two NFL seasons, but the Chiefs eventually decided they couldn’t take it anymore. That’s why they traded him to the Los Angeles Rams for below market value in 2018.
Peter was hit with a fine of $9,115 after a head shot on Derek Carr. And don’t forget the Chiefs had to suspend their star corner when he picked of a penalty flag and heaved it in the crowd.
Pople often forget that his attitude became too much for the University of Washington as well. That’s why they dismissed him during the 2014 season.
Las Vegas Raiders: Jack Tatum
Tatum played for the Oakland Raiders from 1971 to ‘79. It’s a good thing he played in the ‘70s, where it was easier to get away with being dirty. Perhaps the Hall of Famer wouldn’t have been such a difference-maker in today’s more strict and player-safety-focused era.
Many remember the incident during a 1978 game where Tatum violently collided with Darryl Stingley of the Patriots, which tragically left a quadriplegic for the remainder of his life.
Tatum was nicknamed “Assassin” because of his many violent and dangerous hits throughout his career. The NFL was eventually forced to ban helmet-to-helmet hits. The game was too dangerous with Tatum’s style of play.
Los Angeles Chargers: Rodney Harrison
When the Chargers released Pro Bowl safety Rodney Harrison in 2003, he had compiled more than $200,000 in fines for his career. Harrison was unquestionably a top-tier defensive back during his prime years, but the guy just couldn’t keep it clean.
Harrison was voted the dirtiest player in the NFL in a player poll conducted by Sports Illustrated in 2004, and he received numerous suspensions throughout his career.
So we’re sure most of Harrison’s peers were quite thrilled when David Tyree made that helmet catch with Harrison covering him in Super Bowl 42. That was payback.
Los Angeles Rams: Deacon Jones
The eight-time Pro Bowl defensive end created the term “quarterback sacks.” Now, Jones wasn’t considered dirty because he simply punished quarterbacks time and time again with the “sacks.”
Rather, folks called Jones dirty because of his signature “head slap move.” He’d simply slap an opposing offensive lineman in the head, and it would cause them to blink and lose focus – thus allowing him to get to the QB for the sack.
NO chance defensive players would be able to get away with that today.
Miami Dolphins: Richie Incognito
Well before his infamous bullying scandal, Richie Incognito was already known for being a downright dirty player. As part of the Rams, he was handed three separate fines that added up to $35,000 in a game against Washington in 2008.
His troubles didn’t go away when he went to Miami.
In 2013, a report came out that Incognito was bullying, harassing and threatening teammate Jonathan Martin. This included numerous racial slurs against Martin. He was handed a suspension by the team, while Martin was traded to the San Francisco 49ers.
Minnesota Vikings: Jared Allen
Allen was one of the game’s elite pass rushers during his days with the Minnesota Vikings. But unlike JJ Watt, Aaron Donald, et all, Allen wasn’t able to keep it clean as a top-tier pass-rusher.
Allen dished out a dirty hit on Bears’ offensive guard Lance Louis during a 2012 game, which ended the latter’s season when he tore his ACL.
And in 2012, Allen was hit with a fine a bit under $8,000 when he grabbed Donald Penn’s facemask. And let’s not forget that gruesome hit on Matt Schaub during a 2008 game:
New England Patriots: Brandon Spikes
He wasn’t quite a Pro Bowl talent, but Patriots fans loved Brandon Spikes’ hard work ethic and big hits. That said, it’s hard to deny that the dude really crossed the line a few times.
The Florida product was given a $25,000 fine when he hit Ryan Fitzpatrick of the Bills, resulting in the latter’s helmet coming off. His dirty play continued when he was with the Buffalo Bills.
Spikes re-signed with the Patriots in 2015, but he was later released after his involvement in a hit-and-run incident.
New Orleans Saints: Jonathan Vilma
The three-time Pro Bowl linebacker was a centerpiece of the New Orleans Saints’ defense for many years, including their Super Bowl 44 championship team.
But Vilma was suspended in 2012 following news of his involvement in the team’s infamous Bountygate scandal. In fact, it was reported that Vilma offered up to $10,000 for any Saints player that would hurt Brett Favre during the 2009 NFC title game.
Ya, that’s pretty dirty. You’re on the list, Vilma.
New York Giants: Lawrence Taylor
Now, LT may be the most dominant defensive player in NFL history. If not, he’s at least the greatest pass rusher that American football has ever seen. But LT did plenty of damage due in large part to his willingness to cross the line from time to time.
Many consider LT’s hit on Joe Theismann’s hit that ended the latter’s career dirty, but that was really a freak accident more than anything else. Taylor was guilty of far more dirty players, however. Also, he received numerous suspensions for failing drug tests. That also qualifies as being dirty.
New York Jets: Bart Scott
He wasn’t only a dirty player at the NFL level. Bart Scott also had a knack for being dirty at Southern Illinois, too.
Scott delivered a handful of dirty hits in his career. He also racked up numerous fines for his aggressive behavior — often towards the media.
Scott was no doubt a true play-maker and impact player on the field, but he often didn’t know when there were limits.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Hines Ward
He’s a legend in the Steel City. Hines Ward earned four Pro Bowl selections and won two Super bowls with the Steelers.
However, Ward wasn’t exactly the most popular guy among his peers. In the aforementioned 2009 Sports Illustrated player poll, Ward was voted as the league’s dirtiest player. He received a whopping 11.6 percent of votes.
Ward was especially dirty when it came to blindside blocking; he broke the jaw of Keith Rivers during a 2008 game. The league was forced to crack down on such hits by inserting a new rule to protect defensive players from being the victims of Ward-like blocks.
Needless to say, it was a relief for 31 teams when Ward retired after the 2011 season.
Philadelphia Eagles: Andre Waters
Waters’ teammates and fans embraced him in Philadelphia. He was the ultimate difference maker on your team…but he was also the guy every other team hated playing against.
He was often referred to as “Dirty Waters” because of his reckless style. Waters dished out a dirty hit on Jim Everett during a 1988 game, which forced the NFL to enforce a rule that cracked down on QBs getting hit below the waist area.
San Francisco 49ers: Bill Romanowski
The Pro Bowl linebacker could be classified as the dirtiest player in the history of the Broncos, Eagles, Raiders and 49ers. It’s easy to consider him the dirtiest player of all-time, folks. People remember Romanowski for his dirty actions more than the guy who won four Super Bowl championships in his career.
Romanowski spat in peoples’ faces, he broke Kerry Collins’ jaw after hitting him in the head, and so on. He was sued by former teammate Marcus Williams during a training camp altercation in 2003. Romanowski punched Wililams in the face, which caused an orbital bone fracture and a chipped tooth.
Of course, not all of his awful incidents happened while Romanowski was with the 49ers, but he’s still the dirtiest in their history. Find us somebody else. There’s no one.
Seattle Seahawks: Brandon Browner
Browner’s physicality worked greatly in the Seattle Seahawks’ Legion of Boom secondary, which consisted of another aggressive corner in Richard Sherman, plus hard-hitting safeties Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor.
Browner also received numerous suspensions for violating the NFL’s PEDs policy, which counts as being “dirty.” And during his career, the guy was always among the league leaders in penalties taken. Not exactly a stat to be proud of.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Dashon Goldson
The two-time Pro Bowl safety was more than dirty during his days with both the 49ers and the Buccaneers. He signed a five-year deal worth $41.25 million with Tampa Bay in 2013, but it didn’t take long for Goldson to get into trouble with his new team.
Goldson received a $100,000 fine after a head shot on Darren Sproles of the New Orleans Saints. And then there was this dirty hit in which it looked like Goldson was trying to injure the opponent:
Goldson said it was “ridiculous” that some called him a dirty player. Well, actions speak louder than words Mr. Goldson.
Tennessee Titans: Cortland Finnegan
It’s easy to forget that this guy was a 2008 Pro Bowler for the Titans, who earned the top seed in the AFC that year. In 2010, Finnegan had a trio of incidents that cemented him as the dirtiest player in Titans history.
In one instance, Finnegan grabbed Giants’ wideout Steve Smith and by the helmet and threw him to the ground. That resulted in a $5,000 fine.
Finnegan was then fined after he attacked Chris Kuper of the Denver Broncos, after the latter’s helmet came off. And then there was the incident with Andre Johnson.
Yup, Finnegan was dirty alright.
Washington Commanders: Brandon Meriweather
The two-time Pro Bowl safety only spent three seasons in DC, but he did more than enough to earn the status as the dirtiest player in Redskins history.
Meriweather — who got into trouble during his days in New England and Chicago, as well — got a $42,000 fine for an ugly head shot on Eddie Lacy during a 2013 contest. He was given a one-game suspension after two dangerous hits on Alshon Jeffery and Brandon Marshall in a single game, too.
Mayweather acknowledged his mistakes and mentioned that it was time to stop being dirty. But he was out of the NFL after the 2015 season.
Who do you think is the dirtiest player in your favorite team’s history?
