Baltimore Ravens cornerback Cary Williams has insisted that he didn't intentionally push the referee during the 34-31 Super Bowl win against the San Francisco 49ers.

Williams said that in the "heat of the moment" he was pushing anyone who was stopping him getting to the 49ers player who ripped off his helmet.

"It was in the moment, man," Williams told WJFK-FM. "It was one of those situations where you let your emotions get the best of you.

"As far as I'm concerned, I remember my helmet getting ripped off by number 49 or whatever, and I just reacted.

"I didn't see the ref; I didn't realise he was there. I just pushed whoever to try to get to him."

Williams made 75 tackles throughout the Ravens' successful season.