( CNN ) -- San Diego Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman was arrested early Sunday on suspicion of choking and restraining MTV reality show star Tila Tequila , police said . Shawne Merriman is accused of restraining reality TV star Tila Tequlia as she tried to leave his home , police say . However , Merriman 's attorney denied the allegations , saying more than a dozen other people were at Merriman 's house in suburban San Diego , California , at the time of the incident and `` witness after witness after witness will back up his story 100 percent . '' Authorities responded to a disturbance call about 3:45 a.m. Sunday from a woman who said she had been choked and restrained by a male , the sheriff 's department of San Diego County , California , said in a statement . When police arrived , `` the reporting party identified herself as Tila Nguyen , aka Tila Tequila , and her alleged assailant as Shawne Merriman , '' the statement said . `` Nguyen told deputies she had been choked and physically restrained by Merriman when she attempted to leave his residence , '' the statement said . Watch Merriman 's side of the story » . Nguyen signed a citizen 's arrest at the scene , and Merriman was taken into custody on suspicion of battery and false imprisonment , according to the statement . Deputies did n't see any physical injuries on Nguyen , but she asked to be transported to a local hospital , sheriff 's spokeswoman Jan Caldwell said . Nguyen 's condition was not immediately known . Merriman 's attorney , Todd Macaluso , told reporters that Nguyen was `` extremely intoxicated and inebriated '' and that the player tried to make arrangements for her to leave the house . `` At no time did Mr. Merriman assault her . At no time did Mr. Merriman keep her against her will , '' Macaluso said . `` His intentions were nothing but good . ... We 're very confident that this matter will be resolved without any charges being filed whatsoever . '' Caldwell said alcohol `` was involved '' on Nguyen 's part . Caldwell did n't elaborate . Merriman was released from jail late Sunday morning . Caldwell said she did n't know whether Merriman was released on bail or on his own recognizance . The district attorney 's office will determine whether criminal charges will be pursued , Caldwell said . As Tila Tequila , Nguyen starred on the MTV reality shows `` A Shot at Love with Tila Tequila '' in 2007 and `` A Shot at Love 2 With Tila Tequila '' in 2008 . On her Twitter account , Nguyen did not mention the incident but tweeted about going to meet Merriman on Saturday . In a statement posted on the Chargers ' Web site Sunday , team General Manager A.J . Smith said it is `` disappointing to hear about the issue involving Shawne Merriman . '' `` We 'll continue to monitor the situation and let the legal process run its course , '' Smith said . Merriman , a three-time Pro Bowl selection , is entering his fifth year with the Chargers and the NFL . He recorded at least 10 sacks in each of his first three seasons , but he was limited to one game last season because of a knee injury that required surgery . The Chargers begin their 2009 NFL regular-season campaign on September 14 in Oakland , California , for a game against the Raiders .
NEW : Merriman 's attorney claims NFL player did n't assault Tila Tequila . TV : Tila ` ` Tequila '' Nguyen claims NFL 's Shawne Davis assaulted her . Incident allegedly happened as she tried to leave Merriman 's house , police say . Nguyen starred in MTV 's ` ` A Shot at Love With Tila Tequila ''