Richard Seymour and the Five Dirtiest Players in the NFL

Richard Seymour's punishment for knocking Ben Roethlisberger to the ground using just his fist has been announced.

A $25,000 fine. Roger Goodell really brought the hammer down this time!

Actually all Goodell's punishment shows is that he wanted to see Roethlisberger get ht in the face just as much as the rest of the world.

However, it doesn't change the fact that Seymour has long had a reputation for playing dirty. His actions Sunday only served to reinforce that notion.

Here are five guys that give Seymour a run for his money in the dirty player category.

5. Hines Ward

Hines Ward is the only offensive player on the list, and it's even more peculiar because he's a wide receiver.

Ward is known for making some of the dirtiest blocks in the league, often of the crack-back type.

Ward seems to have a knack for laying vicious hits on guys who let up on a play or have no idea he is coming. 

In 2009 Ward was voted the league's dirtiest player by a shocking 5.6 percent more than second-place Albert Haynesworth.

Enough from me, just watch the video, it speaks for itself.

4. Ray Lewis

I'm not so convinced that Lewis means to be one of the league's dirtiest players, but his aggressive behavior definitely causes him to be.

Lewis has become almost synonymous with vicious hits, not all of which are dirty, but plenty of which have been.

His tendency to lead with the helmet gets him a spot on this list. 

3. Joey Porter

The biggest reason Porter makes this list is his ability to talk smack.

No one in the NFL seems to have the ability to get under an opponent's skin as quickly as Porter, which just goes to show you nothing is off limits when it comes to Porter. 

The video is of Porter getting into a fight with Levi Jones in Las Vegas because of their on-field differences.

2. Albert Haynesworth

The video above should make you sick to your stomach.

Haynesworth takes to stomping on an opponent's head, and is lucky he didn't suffer more serious injuries. 

Gurode, the injured player, needed 30 stitches after the incident.

1. James Harrison

James Harrison is possibly responsible for more concussions than any other player currently in the NFL.

Harrison took the NFL's decision to fine or suspend player for helmet-to-helmet hits as a personal indictment, and almost retired over the incident.

By doing so, he practically admitted he plays dirty. 

Harrison is a head hunter; he wants to knock his opponent out on every play.

Yes, violence is the nature of the sport, but Harrison takes it to an extreme.