updated 7:42 p.m. ET March 21, 2008

PITTSBURGH - The estranged girlfriend of former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Cedrick Wilson denies that he punched her at a suburban restaurant this week.

Lindsey Paulat said Wilson got upset but only shoved her when he saw her drinking Wednesday night.

“He never punched. He pushed me in the side of the head,” Paulat told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review on Friday. “It was misconstrued apparently by the people around us.”

In a criminal complaint, Northern Regional police said Wilson pushed Paulat on the shoulder and, when she turned around, punched her in the face. Wilson, 29, is charged with simple assault, harassment and disorderly conduct. He remains free on $10,000 bail.

Wilson apologized and said he would attend anger management classes. The Steelers released Wilson on Thursday, a few hours after his arraignment.

Wilson’s attorney, Paul Goltz, is out of the country, and his office has said the attorney handling the case will not comment.

Wilson and Paulat, who have a 1-year-old daughter together, also were involved in a fight in January at his house. Police charged her with firing two gunshots after Wilson left his house. Paulat, 26, of Fawn Township, is awaiting trial.

“Cedrick has been very supportive as we are working through issues,” she said. “I think he was just basically disappointed in me and he only wants the best for me and my daughter.”

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