Steelers' Ramon Foster says he threw Giants player to defend Le'Veon Bell

PITTSBURGH – Pittsburgh Steelers guard Ramon Foster says he was defending star running back Le’Veon Bell when he threw a New York Giants player away from a pile late in Sunday’s win, sparking a shoving match between the teams.

“It got a little chippy and L. Bell was on the ground,” Foster told USA TODAY Sports. “One of their guys ran up and tried to bend him back. Like his legs are bent, his knee’s on the ground like that – you don’t do that. So I got him up off of him. There’s no sense in doing the extra stuff.”

The Giants player was middle linebacker Kelvin Sheppard, who appeared to have his hands near Bell’s chin as several others – including linebacker Devon Kennard – pulled and twisted Bell to the ground.

Foster yanked Sheppard away and threw him down, prompting Giants end Olivier Vernon to give Foster a shove to the chest before members of both teams swarmed.

“91 (Sheppard) ran up and they already had three guys on (Bell),” Foster said. “It looked bad on the ground. They’re bending him back. I’m like, ‘Don’t do this, considering y’all already said y’all wanted to make sure he didn’t run enough.’

All things Steelers: Latest Pittsburgh Steelers news, schedule, roster, stats, injury updates and more.

“I’d have felt bad if I didn’t pull him up off of him, because they were bending him – 91 was bending him pretty good. And no disrespect to (Sheppard). He was just playing ball. But you’ve got to respect the game. (Bell)’s down. Let him be down.”

No flags were thrown on the play. Shortly after, Steelers end Stephon Tuitt was flagged for unnecessary roughness after a shove to Giants guard John Jerry, who sold his fall to the ground.

None of it stopped Bell from leading the way for the Steelers, rushing for 118 yards on 29 carries and catching six passes for 64 yards.

Follow Tom Pelissero on Twitter @TomPelissero.

PHOTOS: Best of NFL Week 13