The star linebacker for the San Diego Chargers, Shawne Merriman, was arrested at dawn on Sunday on suspicion of trying to strangle the model Tila Nguyen, star of a reality show for MTV, authorities said.
The Sheriff's Department San Diego County, said the player was arrested at 3:25 am Sunday (10:25 GMT) after a woman made an emergency call saying he had suffered an attempted hanging by part of a man.
When sheriff's deputies arrived, the woman was identified as Tila Nguyen, age 27, aka Tila Tequila, and her alleged assailant as Shawne Merriman, the source said in a statement.
"Nguyen told the officers he had been the victim of an attempt to be smothered and restricted physically by Merriman when he tried to leave his residence," the statement said.
Merriman was taken into custody on suspicion of assault and false imprisonment. While Nguyen was taken to a local hospital, without clarification of their status.
Nguyen was the star of reality show on MTV called "A Shot at Love with Tila Tequila" in 2007 and 2008.
Merriman, 25, was the first pick of the Chargers in the Draft 2005, as overall pick number 12. The former star at the University of Maryland accumulated 39.5 sacks in his first three years in the NFL and was selected to three Pro Bowls.
However, he missed virtually the entire 2008 season with an injured knee, which required surgery and sought to return to his best form.
