• Shawne Merriman, is a linebacker for the San Diego Chargers of the National Football League. He has was arrested on September 6, 2009, for the assault of television personality Tila Tequila.

  Merriman was accused of battery and false imprisonment after allegedly choking and physically restraining Tequila as she tried to leave his San Diego residence. Tequila was taken to a local hospital for treatment and released the same day. Merriman claimed Tequila was intoxicated and he was trying to protect her and prosecutors declined to press charges.http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/sports/Merriman-Arrested-for-Allegedly-Choking-Tila-Tequila--57607562.html http://content.usatoday.com/communities/thehuddle/post/2009/10/shawne-merriman-tila-tequila-was-not-his-girlfriend/1

  Merriman has had a tumultuous past few seasons. He had hoped to rebound to his earlier Pro Bowl form after missing most of the 2008 season due to injury and having his level of play criticized in 2007 season following his 2006 suspension for steroid use.http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2009/09/06/shawne-merriman-busted-for-battery-false-imprisonment/

• 1. Born: May 25, 1984Chargers.com: Shawne Merriman
  2. Birthplace: Upper Marlboro, MarylandChargers.com: Shawne Merriman
  3. Height: 6'4"Chargers.com: Shawne Merriman
  4. Weight: 272 lbsChargers.com: Shawne Merriman
  5. Jersey:
     1. 56Chargers.com: Shawne Merriman
  6. College: University of MarylandChargers.com: Shawne Merriman
  7. NFL Draft: 12th overall in 2005 (San Diego Chargers)Chargers.com: Shawne Merriman
  8. Three-time Pro Bowl selection (2005-2007)Chargers.com: Shawne Merriman

• 2008 Season

  After playing in the first game of the season, Merriman will miss the remainder of 2008 after deciding to have surgery to repair torn ligaments in his knee. Merriman originally tried to play through the injury, but told team manager AJ Smith that he didn't feel right on the field. Merriman will have a rehab time of four to six months.ESPN.com: Merriman to miss season after undergoing surgery (September 9, 2008)

• NFL Career

  Shawn Merriman began his career with the Chargers in 2005. He came off the bench until week 7 when he became a starter. Merriman finished his rookie season with 10 sacks and a Pro Bowl selection. In his first three seasons with the Chargers, Merriman has recorded 187 tackles and 39.5 sacks.Chargers.com: Shawne Merriman Merriman is unsure if he will play during the 2008 season after ligament damage was discovered in his left knee.ESPN.com: Merriman weighs options after saying knee ligament is damaged (August 22, 2008)

• 2006 Suspension

  During the 2006 season, Merriman was suspended for four games after violating the NFL's steroids and related substances policy. Merriman denied that he knowingly took any illegal supplement.ESPN.com: Sources: Chargers' Merriman suspended for steroids (October 23, 2006) After Merriman was selected to the Pro Bowl that season, a rule was instated to disallow players who had been tested positive for steroids from being selected to the game.ESPN.com: Sources: Positive 'roids test to result in Pro Bowl ban (February 4, 2007)

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