Rob Gronkowski went to college with the ejected Yankees fan

The Yankees fan who was ejected from Game 4 of the World Series for grabbing Dodgers star Mookie Betts' glove has a surprising connection to the sports world.

While watching footage of the incident between Betts, 32, and the fan, identified by ESPN as Austin Capobianco, during an appearance at Up & Adams When former NFL star Rob Gronkowski streamed on Wednesday, October 30, he realized he knew the now-banned fan personally.

“Here's a little fun fact: That guy there that grabbed Mookie Betts' glove was my college friend,” Gronkowski, 35, a University of Arizona graduate, said on the show, noting that it was It was a “first time” for him and I saw a clip of the viral moment.

According to the former tight end, Capobianco, 38, was a member of the university's ice hockey team while Gronkowski pursued his football dreams. “And let me tell you, the entire hockey team was absolute lunatics,” Gronkowski shared.

The four-time Super Bowl champion said the viral moment of Capobianco interfering in the World Series game “represents him very well.”

“He's all for his teams, he's all for the Yankees,” added Gronkowski, who recalled that the former Arizona hockey player “talked about the Yankees all the time – how much he loves them.”

But while Capobianco's behavior — which led to his ejection from Yankee Stadium and a subsequent ban from returning for Game 5 on Oct. 30 — was widely condemned by baseball fans, Gronkowski had a more positive impression that his college buddy “just did, what was necessary.” to help his team.

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The former NFL star said: “He’s a beauty. I just want to congratulate him on shining when your moment came.”

The Yankees did not perceive Capobianco's actions as such. On Wednesday, the team released a statement confirming that both Capobianco and John Peter — who grabbed Betts' wrist as his friend tried to pull the ball out of the Dodgers star's glove in the first inning — did not play 5 are allowed to participate.

“The Yankees and Major League Baseball have a zero-tolerance policy toward the type of behavior exhibited last night. These fans will not be permitted to attend tonight's game in any way,” the Yankees said, adding that “the safety of the players is ensured.” “Fans and stadium staff are the fundamental element of any event at Yankee Stadium and must not be put at risk become.”

ESPN spoke with Capobianco after his ejection at a local bar near the stadium, where he told the network that he had no regrets about interfering in the World Series.

“We always joke about the ball in our area,” Capobianco said. “We won’t bother attacking. If it is in our range, we will go up “D”. Someone defends, someone hits the ball. We talk about it. We are ready for this.” This.”

Game 5 of the World Series begins October 30 at 8:08 p.m. ET.