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The Browns' Greg Little has his head and shoulders pushed to the turf by Baltimore's James Ihedigbo during the first quarter of Sunday's game. Little emerged from the tussle with Ihedigbo's helmet and threw it onto the grass, drawing a 15-yard unsportsmanlike-conduct penalty. Photo is taken from a video of the play on NFL.com.

(NFL.com)

BEREA, Ohio -- Browns receiver Greg Little said he ripped off Ravens safety James Ihedigbo's helmet in during Sunday's 24-18 victory over the Ravens and threw it because Ihedigbo was choking him on the bottom of the pile.

A still photo shows Ihedigbo's hands around Little's neck.

"I know the ref was saying 'let go of his face mask,' but he was choking me, so I'm not (going to let go),'' said Little, who was flagged 15 yards for unsportsmanlike conduct. "There's a thin line between football and just morals and if you're a man, you're not going to let a guy spit in your face, and your not going to let a guy choke you.

"You're not going to let a guy have (his) way with your kids or your family or your wife. It's just how it is.''

"I don't have to say anything to the ref. At that point, (Ihedigbo's) crossed the line.''

Little said he hasn't been notified of a fine, but that if he's fined, he expects Ihedigbo to be as well.

Little, who was also fined for taunting Ihedigbo in the second quarter, said he has no regrets about throwing the helmet at the end of the first quarter.

"None,'' he said. "If you're going to take the game of football to where he took it to, I'll meet you there.''

He said he'd throw the helmet again in the same situation.

"Ask Phil (Taylor) if Ray Rice spit in his face again what would he do, is he going to pat him on the back?''

Little clarified, "I was pushing him off me and (the helmet) popped off. The refs (were) pulling him off me, he's still trying to choke me, I'm pushing him off and his helmet popped off.''

Ihedigbo said after the game that Little thinks he a tough guy, but he's not.

Little retorted Wednesday, "he's far from tough.''

Little added, "I'm pretty sure we'll play again and if he feels I'm not tough, he knows where to find me.''

Coach Rob Chudzinski cautioned Little that the second guy always gets caught and that he has to keep his cool. Little said he understood where Chudzinski was coming from, but stressed he'd do the same thing in the same situation.

Through his publicist, Ihedigbo declined to comment Monday on whether or not he was choking Little.