Tebow helped diffuse bar fight involving Aaron Hernandez

GAINSVILLE, Fla., July 3 (UPI) -- Former New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez was saved from getting into a violent bar fight in 2007 by Tim Tebow, Florida police records indicate.

At the time both Hernandez and Tebow were football players at the University of Florida in Gainsville, the Orlando (Fla.) Sentinel reported.

Hernandez, then a 17-year-old freshman, punched a bouncer in the head causing his eardrum to break.

When Hernandez couldn't be found, an investigating police officer interviewed Tebow.

Tebow told the officer he tried to help resolve the conflict and urged Hernandez to leave the bar peacefully. He also said he tried to make arrangements to pay the bill.

Two hours later another officer interviewed Hernandez and wrote that he didn't appear intoxicated and was "very polite and professional."

Gainsville police recommended Hernandez be charged with a felony, but it is unclear how the case was resolved because Hernandez was a juvenile at the time.

Hernandez, 23, has pleaded not guilty in the shooting death of 27-year-old Odin Lloyd whose body was found last month near the football player's North Attelborough, Mass., home.