Yesterday, Shawne Merriman was all over the airwaves for allegedly trying to kill his girlfriend Tila Tequila. Today the Chargers linebacker is denying those reports.

“At the time, I was concerned about her welfare given the intoxicated state she appeared to be in and I encouraged her to stay until safe transportation could be provided,” Merriman said in the statement. “We would all do our best to help a friend if we considered their actions to be detrimental to their personal safety.”

Sorry Shawne, but encouraging a friend to stay somewhere does not mean trying to choke them to death. Lay off the roids and relax next time.