Not even Tim Tebow could stand in the way of the train wreck that is Aaron Hernandez.
USA Today uncovered police reports in 2007 stemming from an incident at a sports bar in Gainesville, Fla., revealing that Tebow was at the bar at the same time as Hernandez, who as a 17-year-old freshman, slugged a bouncer and puncturing his eardrum.
A supplemental report obtained by USA Today suggested that the University of Florida might have reached a settlement with the bouncer to prevent him from pressing charges against Hernandez.
According to USA Today, Hernandez got into an argument over an unpaid bill for two drinks that he was served, even though he was not of legal age to drink.
Hernandez consumed both drinks and then refused to pay for them. Bouncer Michael Taphorn was called in to handle the situation. He confronted Hernandez, but the teenager refused to pay and Taphorn asked him to leave.
According to the police report USA Today acquired, police stated that when Taphorn turned to re-enter the bar, Hernandez hit him in the side of the head.
Tebow was listed only as "Witness 1" in the original police report, but the supplemental report and a Gainesville Police Department spokesman identified Tabor by name.
Tebow asked to be an anonymous witness, USA Today reported, because he was concerned about media linking his name to the Hernandez incident.
The skirmish took place at 8 p.m. ET. Hernandez left the scene immediately, according to the report, and a responding officer then interviewed Tebow. It was unclear whether the two players were together at the bar.
Tebow tried to resolve the problem by telling Hernandez to leave and then by trying to make arrangements to pay the bill.
Tebow was present when police later interviewed Hernandez, USA Today reported.
Taphorn did not see a doctor immediately, but went the next day and discovered that his eardrum had been broken, according to the incident report.
USA Today added that police said Taphorn initially was adamant about pressing charges. In the supplemental report of the police follow-up, however, Taphorn said "that he may request the charges be dropped."
The bouncer added that University of Florida legal staff and Florida Gators coaches had contacted him and that an agreement was in the works. The follow-up report said, "However, nothing is finalized."
Police recommended that felony assault charges be filed against Hernandez, now in jail on a murder charge against Odin Lloyd, but no charges were brought against Hernandez in that incident.
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