Shawne Merriman turning his own lights out?

Shawne Merriman came into the NFL with the San Diego Chargers and was an instant star and fan favorite.  Over the recent years though, a cloud has been forming over his head with on and off-field altercations — most recently, his alleged attack on internet and reality TV sensation Tila Tequila.

Photo from Philip Nelson, Live Streaming Expert via Flickr

Police arrived at 3:25 a.m. Sunday to investigate allegations he choked Tila Tequila in a domestic dispute. For now, until we get the facts straight, you can believe what you want in this ‘he said-she said’ debate.

Some players in the NFL have yet to forgive Merriman for his questionable hits on running back Priest Holmes and quarterback Vince Young. Also not to be forgotten is his four-game suspension for tainted supplements and the negative reaction from fellow players that cheats should not be allowed to go to the Pro Bowl.

So why would a 6-foot 4-inch 270-pound football star put his hands around the throat of a 4-foot 11-inch woman? Merriman claims he was trying to protect Tila, preventing her from driving home drunk and she refused. Tila on the other hand, claims that she is allergic to alcohol and does not even drink as stated on her official twitter page. “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.”

Back over to Merriman’s side of the story, James Brennan, owner of Stingaree, a downtown club where Merriman and Tequila attended a party Saturday night, said his staff told him Tequila had been drinking and it appeared Merriman had ordered only bottled water. When asked about Tila Tequilas ‘tweet’ about being allergic to alcohol, Brennan replied “It sounds like she’s allergic to the truth.”

Chargers general manager A.J. Smith is believed to be unhappy with Merriman’s various off-field activities. There’s been speculation the Chargers will allow Merriman leave when he’s eligible to become an unrestricted free agent. Could this be lights out for Shawne Merriman’s career with the Chargers? Only time will tell. As for the alleged domestic attack on Tila Tequila and the outcome, we’ll keep you posted.