TMZ Sports - Page 50

But after getting called for a foot fault at the U.S. Open last night, Serena channeled her inner John McEnroe and went off on the line judge that made the call. Since she was already penalized for breaking her racket earlier, the outburst cost her a point -- and it just happened to be match point at the time, so she lost!

Hey, at least she made things interesting.

Tila claims she was "choked and physically restrained" by Merriman after she tried to leave his residence. Merriman says he was trying to keep a drunk Tequila from getting on the road.

Tila Tequila is lashing out at the San Diego DA's office for their decision to not file criminal charges against her ex-boyfriend Shawne Merriman.

TMZ obtained the following statement from Tila's rep:

"Tila Tequila is the victim of a violent crime. The San Diego District attorney's decision not to press charges against Shawne Merriman for the battering of Tila Tequila demonstrates an unconscionable negligence in the discharging of their public duties. We strongly feel that justice has not been served in this matter.

Obviously, The San Diego Charger's NFL franchise brings millions of dollars in revenue to the city of San Diego, and it seems clear that other interests are being served by the DA's office than the upholding of the law. A young woman was violently beaten and choked, and the physical evidence is both overwhelming and disturbing. Tila's account of the events has remained consistent from the beginning, while Merriman's story has changed repeatedly.

The San Diego District Attorney has declined to prosecute Shawne Merriman over accusations that the NFL star choked Tila Tequila and refused to trapped her in his mansion.

The San Diego D.A. just released the following statement:

"After a thorough review of the investigation into the Sept. 6, 2009 incident at the Poway home of Shawne Merriman, our office has determined there is insufficient evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that any crime was committed. The case is now closed."

UPDATE: The General Manager of the San Diego Chargers has issued the following statement: "It's really good news for Shawne. We're happy things worked out for him on the legal front."

The exploited ESPN sportscaster -- who was filmed naked in her hotel room without her knowledge -- did her first and only interview about the incident today with Oprah. She says she's now "paranoid" and constantly feels like she's being filmed.

Andrews also told O that the visit to Chicago was the first time since the incident she'd been solo in a hotel room.

Jeff Hardy -- one half of the WWE tag team duo The Hardy Boyz -- was busted today after cops found a boatload of pills and steroids inside his home.

The Moore County Sheriff's Office executed a search warrant at Hardy's home in Cameron, NC today -- where they found 262 Vicodin pills, 180 Soma pills, 555 milliliters of anabolic steroids and a residual amount of powder cocaine. Cops say the estimated street value of the drugs: $2,500.

Hardy was arrested on charges of "trafficking in controlled prescription pills" and possession of anabolic steroids.

Chief Deputy Neil Godfrey told us Jeff's brother posted bail, which was set at $125,000.

As TMZ first reported, Tequila met with investigators from the San Diego District Attorney yesterday to discuss the altercation, where she alleges the Chargers star "choked and physically restrained" her last weekend.

Merriman claims Tila was drunk and he was simply trying to "encourage her to stay until safe transportation could be provided."

When asked yesterday by paps if she'll forgive Shawne, Tila replied "I don't know."

It took only one week -- but the ruthless Madden video game curse struck again last night.

After making one of the sickest interceptions you're going to see all year, 2010 Madden co-cover guy Troy Polamalu went down with a sprained MCL in his knee during the 2nd quarter of last night's Steelers-Titans game.

It's no coincidence ... no fluke ... he should've seen it coming.

Players who have graced the cover of the Madden video game box have been doomed since 2002 -- Marshall Faulk, Ray Lewis, Vince Young, Shaun Alexander ... and of course Michael Vick.

After the 41-year-old singer showed up to an event in West Hollywood Wednesday night sans a chunk of his cheek -- everyone was looking for some kind of explanation ... and finally, we got it.

TMZ spoke with Weiland's rep, who blamed Scott's facial damage on his inability to catch a football.

The rep says Scott -- who's a huge Notre Dame fan -- was tailgating at the game last weekend and throwing the pigskin around with a couple of buddies ... when he accidentally caught one with his face.

We've learned Tila Tequila is currently meeting with investigators for the San Diego District Attorney to discuss the alleged altercation she had with San Diego Charger Shawne Merriman.

The case was handed over to the D.A. yesterday by the San Diego Sheriff's Department. Tila claims Shawne "choked and physically restrained" her as she was attempting to leave his home early Sunday morning.

Shawne is telling a different story: Tila was drunk and he was simply trying to "encourage her to stay until safe transportation could be provided."

The D.A. will ultimately decide if charges will be filed against Shawne.

Shawne Merriman's ex girlfriend Gloria Velez doesn't believe he choked Tila Tequila this weekend -- because Gloria says the San Diego Charger never laid a hand on her during their four years together.

Gloria tells us Shawne "Never ever put his hands on me. Ever." Adding it's "out of his character" to violently lash out on a woman.

So far, no charges have been filed against Merriman.

A former WCW Tag Team Champion was arrested this weekend after he allegedly put the wrong person in a choke hold ... his girlfriend.

Sean Haire -- aka Sean O'Haire -- was arrested early Sunday morning for battery and criminal trespassing after his girlfriend told cops he violently attacked her at her home in Savannah, GA.

According to the police report, the woman claims Haire -- who's now a 6'6" tall, 270 lbs MMA fighter -- stormed downstairs unprovoked and "started screaming and throwing items around her."

Moments later, Haire's girlfriend claims he "began to choke her while calling her a bitch and a whore."

According to the report, Haire's girlfriend said she "does not know what caused the sudden attack, but that it has happened in the past on several occasions."

The woman eventually ran outside and called the cops -- and Haire was arrested and thrown into the Chatham County Detention Center ... where he had the opportunity to pick on someone his own size.

We're told he was released on $4,600 bail.

Tila Tequila's lawyer is firing back at Shawne Merriman -- claiming the NFL star's version of what happened the night he was arrested is nothing but pure "spin."

Merriman claimed that Tila was drunk and he was trying to keep her safe by keeping her off the road -- Tequila's lawyer, Alan Gutman, says Shawne's story will be "completely discredited."

Gutman just released the following statement to TMZ:

Shawne Merriman and his advisors have decided that the best defense is a good offense, attacking Tila Tequila in the press with a lot of calculated spin to cover up his illegal and indefensible actions.

Fortunately, we as a society will not tolerate a 6'4", 270 pound all-pro NFL linebacker physically assaulting a young lady who is 4'11" and 93 pounds. It is never justifiable to brutally assault, choke, strike and imprison a woman.

Once the truth is fully revealed, Mr. Merriman's fantastic story of how he was trying to keep Ms. Tequila safe will be completely discredited.

No one, especially a woman, should ever have to endure what Mr. Merriman did to Tila Tequila.

Keyshawn Johnson and UCLA just don't mix -- the former USC football star got pulled over in Bruin country Monday night after illegally flippin' a bitch.

We're told campus police stopped Keyshawn around 9:45 PM and cited the former Trojan for an illegal U-turn, using his cell phone while driving (illegal in L.A.) and for not having proof of insurance on his white Mercedes-Benz.

We're told Keyshawn was ticketed without incident and was eventually allowed to drive away in the correct direction.

It's not the first time Keyshawn has been defeated by the Bruins -- UCLA romped all over SC when the two faced off back in 1995.

San Diego Chargers superstar Shawne Merriman is finally speaking about the incident that got him arrested yesterday, telling FoxSports.com that his girlfriend Tila Tequila was drunk and he was only trying to keep her safe.

"On September 6, 2009 the San Diego Sheriff's Department responded to a citizen's complaint that was initiated by Tila Nguyen (aka Tila Tequila). I was taken into custody based upon that complaint. 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.

"We would all do our best to help a friend if we considered their actions to be detrimental to their personal safety. I in no way caused any harm to Ms. Nguyen, however, paramedics were called and she was examined but no injuries were reported. She was released and has since returned to Los Angeles, California.

"There have been no charges filed against me. I want to thank the San Diego Sheriff's Department for their professionalism. I will continue to cooperate fully with the Department, and I look forward to clearing my name regarding these false allegations. I want to put this behind me so I can continue to focus on a successful season for the San Diego Chargers."

UPDATE: Tila has Twittered a response to Shawne's allegations -- saying there's no way she could have been drunk because, "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"