Browns: 5 most hated Pittsburgh Steelers since 1999

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PITTSBURGH – OCTOBER 17: Hines Ward #86 of the Pittsburgh Steelers is tackled by Sheldon Brown #24 of the Cleveland Browns after catching a pass during a game at Heinz Field on October 17, 2010 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Steelers defeated the Browns 28-10. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images) /

4. Hines Ward

Yes, Myles Garrett has a little reputation of being a dirty player (this was before the helmet incident by the way) but he is in no way close to the level of dirty that Steelers players have been labeled with for years. Hines Ward may be the dirtiest of them all. Known for his blind-side blocks that warranted him fine after fine; his most egregious example was breaking the jaw of then Bengal’s rookie Keith Rivers with a blindside hit.

A hit that ended Rivers’ season.

If Ward was just dirty, he might have made the list still but possibly not. No, Ward wasn’t just dirty, he was good too. He went to four Pro Bowls in his time with the Steelers and tormented the Browns with 12 (of 14) seasons of strong play. Ward became a nightmare scenario for many teams, but maybe more so the Browns than anyone else.

Not only did the Browns have to deal with him twice a year, but they had to do so during the “golden years” of their mid-2000’s “success”. In 2002 and 2007, the Browns’ lone years of success, Ward was an agitator who went above and beyond the call of duty. His ability to anger anyone and everyone were well known, making for more than one memorable play against the boys from Cleveland.

Browns fans still say his name with a bit of anger even to this day.

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