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 on Op & Adams which streamed on Wednesday, October 30, former NFL star Rob Gronkowski realized he personally knows the now-banned fan.

“Here’s a little fun fact: That guy over there who took Mookie Betts’ glove was my friend in college,” Gronkowski, 35, a University of Arizona graduate, said on the show, noting that it was the “first time” that he did, 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 maniacs,” Gronkowski said.

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

“He’s all in for his teams, he’s all in for the Yankees,” added Gronkowski, who remembered the former Arizona hockey player “talking about the Yankees all the time — how much he loves them so much. ”

But while Capobianco’s behavior — which resulted in his removal 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 of his college friend “who 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 you because he shined when your moment came.”

The Yankees didn’t feel the same way about Capobianco’s actions. On Wednesday, the team released a statement confirming that both Capobianco and John Peter — who grabbed Betts by the wrist as his friend tried to pry the ball out of the Dodgers star’s glove in the first inning — will not be allowed ​​To attend Game 5.

“The Yankees and Major League Baseball maintain a zero-tolerance policy toward the type of behavior exhibited last night. These fans will not be allowed to attend tonight’s game in any capacity,” the Yankees said, adding that “the safety and security of players Fans and stadium staff are the fundamental element of any event held at Yankee Stadium, and that cannot be compromised.”

ESPN spoke with Capobianco at a local bar near the stadium after his eviction, where he said he has no regrets about interfering with the World Series.

“We always joke about the ball in our area,” Capobianco said. “We’re not going to go out of our way to attack. If it’s in our area, we’ll go to a ‘D’. Someone defends, someone hits the ball. We talk about it. We’re willing to do that.” this.”

Game 5 of the World Series kicks off on October 30 at 8:08 PM ET.