As expected the morning after the alleged incident, where Tila Tequila accused San Diego Chargers linebacker Shawn Merriman of choking her out more details have come to the surfaced.

Here is an overview of what we know at this time.

In essence this is a very simple of case. Everyone agrees that Merriman was attempting to stop Tila from leaving his residence because she was impaired in some shape, form or fashion. The million dollar question is how did Merriman stop her? She only weighs about 100 pounds, so did Merriman go overboard or is she overacting?

According to Merriman’s official statement to the press (you can read the entire thing here) he was simply trying to protect Tila from possibly doing harm to herself because she was drunk. He claims he didn’t hurt her in any way and to be honest the police report seems to back him up. Also there were other people at Merriman’s residence, who also back his version of events. It has to be said that everyone at Merriman’s house would be considered friends of his, so take that for what it is worth.

Tila Tequila has not made an official statement on the advice of her attorney, but she did have an interesting tweet from last 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 can’t drink.”

I don’t know if that is a true statement or not, but still a very interesting piece of information.

Opinions on the story have been wide ranging. Domestic abuse very similar to rape is a sensitive issue. One of the reasons why, is if the accuser is lying it makes it so much harder for women who do suffer from abuse to come forward. Specific to athletes, women may feel that they won’t be believed because of the actions of other women who have lied to the authorities.

Former Jacksonville Jaguars Tight End George Wrighster has an excellent take on the situation from the athlete’s perspective that I think everyone should read:

Merriman, Nowitzki, and Me!!!

Because Tila Tequila is a “reality TV star” the story has taken on a TMZish feel. This is not a good thing for Merriman because if he has any skeletons in the closet they are about to come out. Here is a video Gloria Valez talking about Merriman and Tila. She and Merriman had a prior relationship and as you see she has no problem throwing him under the bus.

From a football perspective, if you watched the ESPN video above you can see that the Chargers are pretty much fed up with Merriman. He may be on his way out sooner than later either via trade or no resigning him next year when he is a free agent. It is reported that Chargers GM AJ Smith has a very “thick” file on Merriman’s off the field activities and it isn’t a good file.

My opinion on the entire situation is very clear. If she is lying she needs to be charge. If he choked and hit her he should be charged. With that being said Merriman has to understand that you can’t get yourself in these situations. It may not be fair, but you have to really consider the type of people you are hanging with and if they are worth the trouble.

No one is telling you how to live your life, but you have to live with the decisions you make. Just because you are talented doesn’t mean you they won’t blackballed you from the league. I hope this is a wake call for him and all athletes that you are only one bad choice from having your career and in some cases your freedom taken away from you.

“Smarten Up”