Pittsburgh Steelers WR Hines Ward harshly criticized NFL officials on Wednesday in the wake of the fourth fine this season handed down to teammate James Harrison.

Ward said NFL officials are "hypocrites" who cannot send a correct message on issues such as player safety.

"You talk about safety but you add on two games," Ward said, via the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

"You talk about you don't want players to drink, but our major endorsement is Coors Light. That's all you see is beer commercials."

Harrison was fined $25,000 on Tuesday for an illegal hit on Buffalo Bills QB Ryan Fitzpatrick two days prior. It raised his total amount of fines this season to $125,000.

The linebacker and former Defensive Player of the Year vowed he would appeal, and again defended himself and maintained his innocence.

"The way I play there is nothing wrong with it," Harrison said. "I am not playing dirty. I am not doing anything outside the lines.

"I am sure if you ask 10 guys in the league, I am sure eight or nine of them are going to say that he's not a dirty player and he's a hard player and that's he's just getting a bad rep right now."

Ward is the latest player to complain about the NFL's discipline process. Chicago Bears LB Brian Urlacher called the process "outrageous" earlier Wednesday, and Steelers S Troy Polamalu has repeatedly called for input from current players and team officials into the process.

Ward said the league seems to be singling out players such as Harrison and its attitude seems to be to treat him "almost like you're guilty until proven innocent."

Harrison's appeals of two previous fines totaling $95,000 were denied this week.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell -- who strengthened the enforcement and penalties for illegal hits this season -- has said he is happy with the current discipline process that relies on league officials, including former players and coaches.

-- Sean Leahy