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Chargers Player Arrested in Tila Tequila Beating

Shawne Merriman accused of choking her

By Drew Nelles,  Newser Staff

Posted Sep 6, 2009 3:25 PM CDT

(Newser) – Police arrested San Diego Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman today after he allegedly choked his reality-TV star girlfriend, Tila Tequila, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports. She signed a complaint charging Merriman with battery and false imprisonment, and said he choked her when she tried to leave their house this morning. Tequila, whose real name is Tila Nguyen, is known for her now-canceled dating show, A Shot at Love with Tila Tequila.

San Diego Chargers' Shawne Merriman jogs with a weighted vest during a workout at the Chargers minicamp in San Diego, Friday, May 1, 2009.
San Diego Chargers' Shawne Merriman jogs with a weighted vest during a workout at the Chargers minicamp in San Diego, Friday, May 1, 2009.   (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)
Tila Tequila arrives at The White Party benefiting Malaria No More in Los Angeles on Saturday, July 4, 2009.
Tila Tequila arrives at The White Party benefiting Malaria No More in Los Angeles on Saturday, July 4, 2009.   (AP Photo/Dan Steinberg)
Girls Gone Wild Magazine, October issue: Tila Tequila cover.
Girls Gone Wild Magazine, October issue: Tila Tequila cover.   (PRNewsFoto/Mantra Films, Inc.)
Authorities say San Diego Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman has been arrested on suspicion of choking and restraining Tequila, as she tried to leave his Southern California home.
Authorities say San Diego Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman has been arrested on suspicion of choking and restraining Tequila, as she tried to leave his Southern California home.   (AP Photo/Peter Kramer)
In this Aug. 15, 2009 file photo, San Diego Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman stands on the sidelines before a pre-season game against the Seattle Seahawks.
In this Aug. 15, 2009 file photo, San Diego Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman stands on the sidelines before a pre-season game against the Seattle Seahawks.   (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 15 comments
Jojo
Sep 7, 2009 11:22 AM CDT
Also, to add some irony, Tila said this about Rihanna after she got beat by Chris Brown: "Ugh.so over Rihanna! She's lacking some type of endearing quality about her. She shoulda spoken about this 2 help women, instead of partying or showing off her gun tattoo's..ohhh she's soo cool! She should be a better role model instead of taking advantage of chris bad rap - bitch is lovin the fact that she has world at her feet like "aww poor RiRi" but she's not speaking out and not sincere in her actions - if that happened 2 me, I woulda went on oprah or Tyra to tell young women that this is not ok N what he did was wrong. But she loves it - Her fans who look up to her should hear at least a "Thank you for all your support through this hard time and this has been tough? etc. Nope! - Hey. I can say whatever I want. Freedom of speech remember? I've been through an abusive relationship so I understand. But her message now..and the fact that she hasn't acknowledged it..lets young boys think that ITS OK to beat a woman. and IT IS NOT! She's not empowering females. ---------------------------------- Honestly, it sounds like she is jealous Rihanna was getting attention for this.
bewilderbeast
Sep 7, 2009 9:32 AM CDT
It's something along the lines of: Take one penis, add lots of steroids, mix with more money than IQ, add one boob job and a large dose (but not enough) of "fame" - you get where this is going . . . ?
bewilderbeast
Sep 7, 2009 9:13 AM CDT
Hold on - you don't have to murder someone to be guilty of assault! If a big guy even slaps his chick he needs to know he's outta line. Don't go defending the big critters against the lil uns here, jo! Agreed, the lil uns can be mean, too, but irritating a big guy doesn't free him to squash you.

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