Shawne Merriman Proclaims Innocence

It was only a matter of time before Shawne Merriman spoke out against the allegations he choked and restrained reality TV star Tila Nguyen (aka Tila Tequila). Merriman was accused of battery and false imprisonment through a citizen's arrest warrant signed by Nguyen, but the Chargers star claims he is innocent and says he "in no way caused any harm to Ms. Nguyen."

More Coverage: Merriman Arrested in Domestic Dispute
More From TMZ: Photos of Couple at Nightclub

In a statement e-mailed to The San Diego Union-Tribune late Sunday night, Merriman tried to clear his name in light of the serious accusations by Nguyen.

On September 6, 2009 the San Diego Sheriffs Department responded to a citizens complaint that was initiated by Tila Nguyen (aka Tila Tequila). I was taken into custody based upon that complaint. At the time, 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. We would all do our best to help a friend if we considered their actions to be detrimental to their personal safety. I in no way caused any harm to Ms Nguyen, however, paramedics were called and she was examined but no injuries were reported. She was released and has since returned to Los Angeles, California.

There have been no charges filed against me. I want to thank the San Diego Sheriffs Department for their professionalism. I will continue to cooperate fully with the Department and 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 for the San Diego Chargers.

On her Twitter account, Nguyen told her followers Sunday night: "I am allergic to alcohol. It has been publicly known for years. That is how I got the name Tila "Tequila" cuz the irony. I cant drink." She later put a lock on her account, only allowing new followers through her approval.

Merriman also said that Nguyen is not his girlfriend. According to reports, the couple had been at the Stingaree nightclub on Saturday night and stayed until closing in the early hours Sunday morning. "They seemed in good spirits throughout the evening and were enjoying themselves," the statement said. "There was no outward indication of any problem between the two of them."

From the looks of things, Nguyen spent a good portion of the weekend with Merriman, even attending the Chargers-49ers preseason game on Friday night. She sent out messages throughout the past few days, professing on Twitter how smitten she was.

Jan Caldwell, a spokeswoman for the San Diego County Sheriff's Department, said that Nguyen wasn't seriously hurt. "She was able to talk," Caldwell said. "She was able to walk. She was mobile. She did not have any serious injuries that our deputies saw."

While detectives are investigating the alleged assault, Merriman is correct that no formal charges have been filed against him. Additionally, since Merriman has never had a prior run-in with the law, he's not subject to an NFL fine or suspension until the legal matter has been resolved.

And from the looks of the early details, it might be a while before we know exactly what happened in this romantic fling gone wrong.

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Tila Tequila Photos

©BAUER-GRIFFIN.COM The Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation's 10th Anniversary Art For Life Benefit at the SimmonsÕ East Hampton Estate. Pictured: Tila "Tequila" Nguyen www.bauergriffin.com www.bauergriffinonline.com NON-EXCLUSIVE July 18, 2009 Job: 90720NB2 East Hampton, New York www.bauergriffiffin.com www.bauergriffinonline.com

MTR/bauergriffinonline.com

Tila Tequila Photos

FILE - In this Dec. 31, 2007 file photo, TV Personality Tila Tequila makes an appearance at MTV Studios in New York. Authorities say San Diego Chargers star linebacker Shawne Merriman has been arrested on suspicion of choking and restraining his girlfriend, a reality TV star, as she tried to leave his Southern California home. San Diego County Sheriff's Lt. Gary Steadman says 27-year-old Tila Tequila signed a citizen's arrest warrant early Sunday, Sept. 6, 2009, charging Merriman with battery and false imprisonment. (AP Photo/Peter Kramer)

FILE - In this Aug. 15, 2009 file photo, San Diego Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman stands on the sidelines before an NFL pre-season football game against the Seattle Seahawks in San Diego. Authorities say San Diego Chargers star linebacker Shawne Merriman has been arrested on suspicion of choking and restraining his girlfriend, a reality TV star, as she tried to leave his Southern California home. San Diego County Sheriff's Lt. Gary Steadman says 27-year-old Tila Tequila signed a citizen's arrest warrant early Sunday, Sept. 6, 2009, charging Merriman with battery and false imprisonment. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)

MTR/bauergriffinonline.com

EAST HAMPTON, NY - JULY 18: Tila Tequila, Kevin Saer and Rajiah Williams attend Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation's 10th Anniversary Art For Life Benefit at Russell Simmons' East Hampton Estate on July 18, 2009 in East Hampton, New York. (Photo by Jerritt Clark/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Tila Tequila;Kevin Saer;Rajiah Williams

Getty Images

EAST HAMPTON, NY - JULY 18: Tila "Tequila" Nguyen attends Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation's 10th Anniversary Art For Life Benefit at Russell Simmons' East Hampton Estate on July 18, 2009 in East Hampton, New York. (Photo by Jerritt Clark/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Tila Tequila

Getty Images

BEVERLY HILLS, CA - JULY 04: TV personality Tila Tequila at the White Party hosted by Sean "Diddy" Combs and Ashton Kutcher to help raise awareness for Malaria No More held at a Private Residence on July 4, 2009 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Kristian Dowling/Getty Images for Blueflame) *** Local Caption *** Tila Tequila

Getty Images for Blueflame

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

9-07-2009 @ 8:26AM

bigmikecr01 said...

Im not really a fan of merriman,but I do think that he's telling the truth. I mean maybe he might of yelled at her or grabbed her but I doubt he hurt this chick. Tila tequila is a wild drunky she prolly made all this S**t up for media attention,Thats pretty much wat she about.

9-07-2009 @ 11:17PM

Albert S. said...

While I'll agree Tila is a media whore , so is Merriman. Birds of a feather baby . She just probably took his last roid issue and flushed it talking about it makes it smaller baby . Then (lights out ) rage , the real reason he got his nickname. Instinct took over and he choked her light out!

9-07-2009 @ 8:36AM

Grer The Sarcastic Bastard said...

Sadly in Roger Goodell's NFL, it doesn't matter if you're innocent or not. Once your name's out there & arrested, you're screwed.

9-07-2009 @ 9:28AM

cjgdnight said...

Think we need to let this one play out a little, and like Big Ben, see where the cards fall before we pass judgement.

9-07-2009 @ 10:00AM

Geezer said...

Wow. I can't say I would be shocked that it's a lie, but I hope Merriman isn't lying himself. It does seem a little odd that Tila Tequila would go around with him in public one minute and then press charges the next.

9-07-2009 @ 10:20AM

Al Gray said...

Agree totally with cjgdnight who says:"let this one play out a little." Still bothered by one thing. Obviously, Merriman did not compose or author the so called statement. It was written by someone using lingo Merriman would never speak himself. I would have been far more impressed with words of explanation directly from him.

9-07-2009 @ 12:23PM

imshortyk said...

Lol! You never know, Gray, he might've used Thesaurus.com or something, haha. He might be smarter than you know XD

Though, I admit, when I was reading it I too doubted he wrote it. Lol. But you never know.

9-07-2009 @ 10:50AM

nytopper said...

shwane didn't do what she said.

9-07-2009 @ 11:00AM

ourplaces said...

Tila is hot, they hung out went back to his place got comfy, she told him she wanted to bring in a few of her friends, he said oh hell no homey don't play like that.
She was all horney and everything and the dude was like I ain't giving you anything, she got mad beat herself up she said I'll get you sucker, she said you afraid of this kitty kitty meooooooooooooowwww!!!!

9-07-2009 @ 11:12AM

greatonenonly said...

So either this um "woman" or mister tainted supplements is lying...they most likely both are...the truth is in the middle

9-07-2009 @ 11:19AM

aaronsaris said...

He was arrested on a citizens arrest request. In Cali, any visible sign of injury requires a person accused of domestic violence to be arrested. Even the Sheriff's spokesperson is saying there were no visible signs of injury. She was drunk, wanted to leave (drive) and Merriman was watching out for her safety and the safety of other driver's. She was drunk and acted like a fool.

9-07-2009 @ 11:29AM

lukelewis said...

2 words Attention Whore

9-07-2009 @ 12:22PM

This is all too funny, 'cause this similar falsification for attention or "revenge" has happened to my brother not even a month ago. Just wait and see, her story will switch up so much it'll be comical. I won't put anything past anybody, but I sincerely doubt Merriman did those things to her. I dunno Tila personally, but I know the actions of an attention whore, as Luke so kindly put it, quite well.

robert said...

So what if she was drunk? He more than likely was too! That doesnt give him the right to CHOKE her. Its as simple as this. Was there marks on or around her neck? Obviously so or he would not have been ARRESTED!

Magic said...

The NFL is full of rich, sinister pieces of garbage like Merriman, hang em high

9-07-2009 @ 8:52PM

Patrick said...

Robert, read the story,bonehead.No visible marks.She filed the citizens arrest on him,not the sheriffs. The faster he can run from this bimbo,the better.LIGHTS OUT !!!

9-07-2009 @ 12:56PM

a40oztofreedome said...

she's lying...and to say shawne merriman isn't smart enough for the language in the apology is just ignorant. Even though he was a football player, he attended a UMD school that is not lacking in academic standards, and if you've ever heard him speak or read an interview with him he is extremely well spoken. If he had choked that girl her neck would be broke.

9-07-2009 @ 1:07PM

geraldr5 said...

If Shawne Merriman kept one, repeat, ONE drunken driver off the road, he performed an enormous pubic service. From the sound of things, this babe was a freeway crash just waiting to happen. As one who has lost three friends to drunken drivers, I support any legal means to keep them from behind the wheel. Thank You, Shawne, you may have saved a life or two!!!

9-07-2009 @ 1:39PM

Shirl the girl said...

I just hope when they took Tila to the hospital that they did a alcohol test on her and a drug test as well. Let's see who's lying like a rug here.

9-08-2009 @ 1:42PM

busca said...

How about some venereal disease testing? This broad is a walking Petri dish.

How she made it as a sex symbol is beyond me. "Skank" does not equal "sexy."

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