PITTSBURGH -- Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell said the New York Giants defense tried to hurt him on a late-game play Sunday, but he wasn't too worried.
"I'm glad I got my guys. I call them my goons up front," said Bell of his offensive line. "They are down to ride with me whenever."
With about two minutes left in the Steelers' 24-14 win, Giants linebacker Kelvin Sheppard appeared to reach under Bell's face mask and pull backward during a gang tackle, twisting his neck. Guard Ramon Foster tossed Sheppard out of the pile in disgust, prompting a mini-skirmish between both teams.
Bell, who totaled 182 yards rushing and receiving Sunday, called the play "dirty" on social media earlier this week.
After Wednesday's practice, Bell said he wasn't aware of any malicious intent as the play unfolded but reacted by saying "oh dang, they was really trying to hurt me" once he saw a replay.
In the offseason, Bell publicly acknowledged Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict tried to hurt him by running into his knees in Week 8 of 2015, causing Bell to tear two ligaments.
Bell's knees have held up well in 2016 -- he has 243 touches (180 carries, 63 receptions) for 1,318 yards in nine games.
That his offensive line wants to protect him means "everything in the world to me," he said. "Guys always feel like they've got to -- for whatever reason -- feel like they got to try to hurt me, take me out of the game," Bell said. "I've got to protect myself."