Gainesville police reports state Tim Tebow tried to calm Aaron Hernandez during a 2007 bar fight incident.
Hernandez, a 17-year-old freshman at the time, allegedly punched a bouncer in the head causing a broken ear drum on April 28, 2007, according to the Orlando Sentinel. Tebow reportedly tried to calm Hernandez from before the incident turned violent during a night out together; both were football players for the Gators at the University of Florida at the time.
"A waitress at The Swamp bar allegedly brought Hernandez two 'alcoholic drinks,' which he consumed but refused to pay for. That's when Hernandez got into a fight with a bouncer at the bar," the report said, according to the Sentinel.
A police officer arrived to the scene around 1 a.m. could not find Hernandez, and the report states he interviewed Tebow about the altercation.
"Tebow stated that he witnessed the dispute...Tebow stated that he went over to try to help resolve the conflict," the officer wrote.
Tebow told the officer he tried to calm Hernandez, asking him to leave peacefully and tried to make arrangements to pay the bill.
The bouncer Hernandez attacked was Michael Taphorn. Hernandez reportedly told police officers two hours later that Taphorn was antagonizing him and when he turned to walk away, the former Patriot punched him in the side of the head. According to reports, he did not appear to be intoxicated.
Taphorn sought medical treatment the next day and discovered his right ear drum had burst and the injury would take four to six weeks to heal. No records are avaible about the resolution because Hernandez's juvenile records are sealed.
Tebow reportedly developed a close bond with Hernandez early in his career with the Gators, according to the Sentinel.
Hernandez was charged last Wednesday with the first degree murder of Odin Lloyd, and is currently being held without bail.
