Clothes stuck underneath agitator base of 70 series heavy duty plus

I have a Kenmore 70 series heavy duty plus. There's a bed sheet stuck underneath the agitator base. After removing the spiral-shaped agitator top portion, I am having difficulties removing the agitator base (second portion of the agitator). It doesn't lift when I try to pull it off. I've tried the option of trying to spin it in the opposite direction of motion, but it wouldn't budge. The agitator does seem to spin. If I proceed to cut off the bed sheet at the level of the agitator and leave some of it inside the agitator - do I risk possibility of long term damage?