I guess some would consider me football guy, but really wasn't. I just always played a physical game. Not dirty. Not a hacker. Never wanting, trying or actually causing someone to get hurt. Just physical. I was always more of a drive to the basket type guy than a shooter and took a beating in doing so, so always made sure I was as physical defensively to even out the whacks.
Not sure if I am older than most who have posted here, but when and where I played it was always "no blood, no foul". Calling for a foul was looked at as being a diva and was discouraged through peer pressure, but when you did foul and called it on yourself, that was looked up on highly and encouraged.
Maybe things are different since last I played about 25 years ago.