USA Today reports that Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward and linebacker James Harrison are listed as #28 and #31 respectively on the Complex magazine list of “50 Dirtiest Players in Sports History”.  The list includes six other active and retired pro-football players including Cortland Finnegan of the Tennessee Titans at #44 and Rodney Harrison at #34.

Being named to a list that includes Bill Lambeer and Ty Cobb would normally be considered quite impressive.  But aside from a nod to the legendary Ty Cobb, the list seems to ignore athletes who didn’t play in the decade of the 80’s or later.  And some names seemed to make the list just because of a single – yet unforgettable – dirty move.  Tonya Harding and her goon patrol attack on Nancy Kerrigan for one.

Harrison made the list, in part, because of this season and the $125, 000 in fines he’s received from the NFL for what have recently been deemed illegal hits.  It’s debatable whether he would have even made the list before his much publicized actions this season.  However, the list goes a long way to redeem itself by listing Bill Romanowski at #3.  If there’s ever a “Hall of Fame” list for dirtbag players, he’ll surely be inducted on the first ballot.

[Source: Monroe Anderson]

Retired NFL player Rodney Harrison, who currently is an analyst on NBC Sunday Night Football, took an on-air shot at Buffalo Bills WR Terrell Owens when he described Owens as a:

“straight-up clown more interested in stats than winning.”

Owens wasted no time, immediately going to his Twitter account (@terrellowens) to call Harrison out on his use of steroids (actually busted/suspended for HGH use for the first four games in 2007 ). Owens took a tweet shot at Harrison last night and has continued non-stop all morning against Harrison, who won a NFL Super Bowl while a member of the New England Patriots.

Owens Tweets Hitting Harrison High and Hard:

I could less about Rodney Harrison! Anybody tht using steroids, yes STEROIDS rodney, is a cheater & cheated the game!

Is tht Y u used steroids b/c u were worried about ur stats or ws it b/c u were losing it? Lol! U’re a loser & a cheater? Got any steroids I cn borrow?

Hey rodney! Send me sum steroids 2 the Bills facility next week!

Since I kno the media reads my tweets, will sum1 ask rodney how long the cycles take b4 I feel results of the steroids whn he sends em? Lol!

So Rodney, I’m thinking if u overnite it 2day, I’ll get em by 2morr @ noon. Better yet, mark it Priority!! I “really” wanna b a CHAMPION like u!!

Hey Rodney if I really considered using them, could u please lv instructions on how & where 2 stick the needle just like u did 2 assure I do it rite!

My bad Rodney! I hv been corrected by ur supporters, u used HGH nt steroids! So, every1 go ahead & use HGH!! Geez, I guess tht makes it better 2 use!!

Harrison was voted the ‘dirtiest player’ in the NFL several times by fellow players in Sports Illustrated polls. He was suspended and fined several times for dirty and illegal hits on the field.

More power to Owens for busting Harrison’s chops. NBC is dumb for putting Harrison on the air. Harrison is an idiot for taking shots against active players. To me it breaks the player code a bit.

Owens might be goofy and an extremely selfish player, but no one can doubt his talent or achievements on the field over the years. He is a Hall-of-Famer and by all accounts has worked hard in the gym to sculpt his greek god-like body.

Harrison was a dirty player, cheating on the field and likely just as much off of it to obtain every advantage he could to dominate on it.

No way this saga is over yet. Stay tuned for updates from Owens and to see if Harrison gets in a rebuttal as well.

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