Exactly, but I doubt its about reputation, this guy reputation for red cards is exaggerated, he hardly got red cards for tackles, he is very aggressive, but competent tackler who did his job. When he got red cards, it was cases like a game against Sweden, where he punched a swedish player, or in a Sevilla game when he kneed someone in the head. It wasnt so common, but happend at times (him losing his cool), mainly just an aggressive player who got under peoples skin with his style. Which was largely by the books and fair even if physical.
That Totti thing in the 2004 euro forms peoples image of him way too much (provoking your marker, not the first to do it).
But as I said, way too mellow with us, and even more importantly, he hardly covers much ground, is too static, the aggression or lack of it is seen in his lack of eagerness to cover much space too.