Cary Williams avoids fine for shoving ref in Super Bowl

Mike Garafolo, USA TODAY Sports | USATODAY

Baltimore Ravens cornerback Cary Williams was not ejected for shoving an official during Super Bowl XLVII.

Williams wasn't fined, either.

In an email to USA TODAY Sports on Saturday, AFC spokesman Corry Rush said the league did not fine Williams for pushing head linesman Steve Stelljes out of the way as he got up after being taken to the ground during a scrum with a few San Francisco 49ers players.

Rush didn't specify why Williams escaped any penalties, but considering his contact was much more violent than when Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton bumped an official this season (an act that resulted in a $21,000 fine), it's clear the league took intent into consideration.

"It was a situation where I didn't see who the heck I pushed. Those guys kicked my helmet off, took my helmet off man, it's just a part of the process. Whatever," Williams said. "It's a reaction. You see teammates out there getting hit late, guys pulling guys after the whistle. My helmet came off, I couldn't barely see, and I just reacted. It is what it is."

Former supervisor of NFL officials Jim Daopolous wrote on his Twitter account Williams should've been ejected, regardless of intent. Fox's Mike Pereira, the league's former vice president of officiating, told Sports Illustrated Williams should have been ejected.

Daopolous also said in an appearance on NBC Sports' ProFootballTalk Live Newton should have been ejected as well, and now the players' making contact with officials is "starting to snowball."