Ben Roethlisberger and the NFL's 6 Toughest Players

Often quarterbacks are thought of as the favorite sons of the NFL. They get all the preferential treatment and don't have to get involved in a lot of the action.

But every now and then a few QBs display the toughness that fans equate with linebackers like Ray Lewis.

Here is a short list of the six toughest players currently playing in the NFL today.

6. Donovan McNabb, QB, Washington Redskins

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 05: Donovan McNabb #5 of the Washington Redskins looks on against the New York Giants on December 5, 2010 at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Donovan McNabb is one of the most polarizing players in the NFL. People love him or hate him; there is no in-between.

Oftentimes his toughness is called into question, but he has shown how tough he is time and time again.

His best display of toughness came against Arizona in 2002. He was sacked and his leg got caught under him, breaking his ankle. He went to the locker room and got his foot taped up, came back and played the rest of the game on a broken ankle.

5. Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers

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BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 05: Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger #7 talks to the team while playing against the Baltimore Ravens during the fourth quarter of the game at M&T Bank Stadium on December 5, 2010 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Geoff Burke/Getty

This past Sunday, Ben Roethlisberger had to start the game with a sprained right foot in frigid conditions in Baltimore. On the Steelers' first series, Roethlisberger broke his nose and had blood stains on his jersey the entire game.

He doesn't get enough credit for his toughness, but after his performance Sunday, all that could change.

4. Brian Urlacher, LB, Chicago Bears

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CHICAGO - NOVEMBER 14: Brian Urlacher #54 of the Chicago Bears awaits the start of play against the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field on November 14, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears defeated the Vikings 27-13. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Urlacher has long been one of the most popular players in the league. He is also one of the toughest in the league.

It's easy to pick linebackers or linemen for this kind of list because they are the ones involved in all of the action every single play. That's not to diminish Urlacher's toughness as a player, though. He has played through numerous injuries throughout his career.

Case in point: In 2006 Urlacher suffered a severely sprained toe. That may not sound like a big injury, but when you are on your feet and running around in the freezing cold, it hurts.

Urlacher played through it and made numerous big plays in two games to end the season and ensure the Bears had home-field advantage in the postseason.

3. Troy Polamalu, S, Pittsburgh Steelers

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ORCHARD PARK, NY - NOVEMBER 28: Troy Polamalu #43 of the Pittsburgh Steelers rolls out of bounds after intercepting a pass against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium at Ralph Wilson Stadium on November 28, 2010 in Orchard Park, New York. Pittsburgh

Arguably the biggest defensive playmaker in the NFL on one of the NFL's best defenses, Troy Polamalu is as tough as players come. He will shoot his body in the air at another player if thinks that it will prevent the opponent from making a play.

Polamalu has displayed his toughness time in and time out. He has suffered a number of muscle injuries, yet he is lined up and ready to make a number of plays practically every single week.

2. Ray Lewis, LB, Baltimore Ravens

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CHARLOTTE, NC - NOVEMBER 21: Ray Lewis #52 of the Baltimore Ravens spits out water as he walks down the sidelines against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on November 21, 2010 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty

Ray Lewis is the most intimidating presence in the NFL even as he approaches his 36th birthday next year.

No matter where you are on the field, if Ray Lewis is on the other side, you make sure that you know where he is, because he is going to find you, and he is going to hit you.

He is a force to be reckoned with and one of the toughest players in all of football.

1. Brett Favre, QB, Minnesota Vikings

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MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 05: Brett Favre #4 of the Minnesota Vikings is assisted by medical staff against the Buffalo Bills defense at the Mall of America Field at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome on December 5, 2010 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo

Where do you want to start with this guy?

Say what you will about him as a person, but as a player he is as tough as they come. He has started nearly 300 regular-season games in a row, a number that goes up to about 330 if you factor in playoff games.

The streak is one of the most impressive in the history of sports. It is in serious jeopardy this weekend due to a sprained shoulder suffered early in the Vikings' win against Buffalo.