Tila Tequila Rejects NFL Star's Shot at an Explanation

Canada

Tila Tequila Rejects NFL Star's Shot at an Explanation

Tue., Sep. 8, 2009 8:58 PM PDT by Natalie Finn

AP Photo/Evan Agostini, Jason Merritt/Getty Images

Tila Tequila is looking to intercept her man at the pass.

With NFL star Shawne Merriman publicly declaring that his altercation with the Shot at Love star occurred when he tried to stop her from driving drunk, Tequila maintains she was attacked and can discredit Merriman's "fantastic story."

"Shawne Merriman and his advisors have decided that the best defense is a good offense, attacking Tila Tequila in the press with a lot of calculated spin to cover up his illegal and indefensible actions," the Shot at Love star's attorney, Alan Gutman, said in a statement Tuesday night.

"Fortunately, we as a society will not tolerate a 6-foot-4-inch, 270-pound all-pro NFL linebacker physically assaulting a young lady who is 4 feet, 11 inches and 93 pounds. It is never justifiable to brutally assault, choke, strike and imprison a woman."

"Once the truth is fully revealed, Mr. Merriman's fantastic story of how he was trying to keep Ms. Tequila safe will be completely discredited," Gutman continued. "No one, especially a woman, should ever have to endure what Mr. Merriman did to Tila Tequila."

Tequila (whose real name is Tila Nguyen) was briefly hospitalized Saturday night and Merriman was jailed for a couple hours after his girlfriend called the cops and filed a citizen's complaint, alleging he choked her and unlawfully restrained her at his home. No charges have been filed.

The San Diego Charger says that he "in no way caused any harm to Ms. Nguyen."

"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."

Tequila insists that she's allergic to alcohol—hence the prominent irony of her nickname.

________

Life isn't always a bowl of cherries, but it's always a party in our Party Pics: Vegas gallery.