Shawne Merriman says he did not hurt Tila Tequila

San Diego Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman says he did not hurt Tila Nguyen and was only trying to restrain her from leaving his home while she was drunk.

In a statement, Merriman said, "I was concerned about her welfare given the intoxicated state she appeared to be in and I encouraged her to stay until safe transportation could be provided."

Instead, Nguyen, known professionally as Tila Tequila, made a 911 call to the San Diego County Sheriff's Department.

When deputies arrived at Merriman's Poway home at 3:45 am. Sunday, Nguyen signed a citizen's arrest form alleging that Merriman choked and restrained her.

The 25-year-old linebacker was booked into county jail in downtown San Diego and made bail several hours later. Nguyen, 27, was taken to a hospital where she was examined and released.

"We would all do our best to help a friend if we considered their actions to be detrimental to their personal safety," Merriman said in his statement. "I in no way caused any harm to Ms. Nguyen."

The football player and the model-singer-reality TV performer had been at a  nightclub in downtown San Diego before going to Merriman's home with several friends, authorities said.

Nguyen lives in Los Angeles but was in San Diego to attend Friday's NFL exhibition game between the Chargers and the San Francisco 49ers.

Merriman praised the sheriff's deputies and said, "I look forward to clearing my name regarding these false allegations. I want to put this behind me so I can continue to focus on a successful season."

Nguyen, through her attorney, has declined comment on the incident.

-- Tony Perry in San Diego

Comments

[joe smith]

Dude.
Dump her please.
You saved a persons life keeping her from driving.
And look who gets cuffed.

DUMP HER.

[Jon K.]

Domestic disputes are particularly ugly. First of all, it is a horrible thing if a person physically abuses someone they supposedly care about; however, equally ugly is when an emotionally irresponsible person makes false accusations against a person they reportedly care about when they don't get what they want.

[erin]

From Tila's public persona, I can easily see her getting belligerent when someone tries to stop her from drinking and driving. I wager she got physical first and he was trying to calm her down.

But if he actually did assault her, I hope he gets prosecuted regardless of whether or not she was drinking and whether or not she intended to drink and drive. Her being a menace to public safety doesn't mean her personal safety is up for grabs.

[MATT]

ALL I GOTTA SAY TO ERIN IS WOW! PERSONAL SAFETY IS UP FOR GRABS! LOL

[LT (no, not that one)]

Personal safety up for grabs? If this intoxicated girl got beligerent and physically uncooperative with a Cop who was trying to keep her off the streets she would have wound up cuffed and face down across the hood or on the pavement.

Unless unnecessary blows are struck or some other excessive force was used (like choking her out), it is all appropriate and justified.

Only those two know for sure and she is keeping quiet, hmmm.