The sports world is still in an uproar over the Yankees fans who tried to rip off Mookie Betts’ glove in Game 4 of the World Series, and there appears to be an unusual connection. In a classic combination of like-meets-like, one of those meddlesome Yankees fans is apparently college friends with none other than former NFL tight end Rob Gronkowski.

On an episode of “Up & Adams” with Kay Adams on Wednesday, Gronkowski said he knew one of the fans from his days at the University of Arizona. Gronkowski spent three years as a Wildcat before entering the 2010 NFL Draft.

“This is actually the first time I’ve seen this live, and here’s a fun fact: That guy right there who grabbed Mookie Betts’ glove was my friend in college,” Gronkowski said, watching the clip of watched Adams’ show. .

Gronkowski confirmed in a social media post that his college friend is the fan in the gray jersey, Austin Capobianco. Along with John Peter, the two fans were kicked out of Yankee Stadium on Tuesday night and were not allowed to attend Game 5 in New York on Wednesday.

According to Gronkowski, Capobianco was a member of the Arizona club hockey team, which Gronkowski described as a group of “maniacs.” He also described him as a devoted sports fan.

“He’s all in for his teams. He’s all in for the Yankees,” Gronkowski said, adding that he remembered Capobianco talking about the Yankees “all the time.”

Initially, the Pro Bowl tight end didn’t admonish Capobianco’s wild decision, instead praising him.

“He’s a beauty. I just want to congratulate you because you shined when your moment came,” Gronkowski said, much to Adams’ surprise.

But then Gronkowski took a more serious stance on the behavior of Capobianco, whom he admitted he hadn’t seen in years.

“It’s absolutely unacceptable in the sports world, but when you’re that big of a fan, that’s what fans do, I mean, when they get the opportunity to do that,” Gronkowski said.

Later, Gronkowski reiterated his memory of Capobianco as an exceptionally passionate and loyal fan in a social media post.

“Also a dangerous, wild kid, he’s the person who would undoubtedly say he would do that and then actually do it. Maniac status since college has been cemented,” Gronkowski wrote.

Capobianco and Peter were reportedly told by the Yankees on Wednesday that they would be arrested if they tried to enter the stadium for Game 5. They don’t know how long the ban will last.