It’s a small world.
Former NFL tight end Rob Gronkowski said he was friends with Austin Capobianco — one of the Yankees fans who were banned from Game 5 of the World Series after prying a foul ball out of Dodgers right fielder Mookie Betts’ glove in Game 4 — in college at the University of Arizona, and that he wasn’t shocked by the incident at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday night.
During Wednesday’s installment of the “Up & Adams” show on FanDuel TV, Gronkowski congratulated Capobianco, a Yankees season-ticket holder, for “shining” in the moment.
“Here’s a little fun fact… That guy right there grabbing Mookie Betts’ glove was my friend in college,” Gronkowski told host Kay Adams while pointing to footage of Capobianco, 38, and his friend, John Peter, who was also involved in the incident.
“He was on the ice hockey team, the club Arizona Wildcats ice hockey team. And let me tell ya, the whole hockey team were absolute maniacs. They were indescribable just how wild these guys were… animals.
“Him doing that represents him very well. I mean, he is all in for his teams. He is all in for the Yankees. I remember him talking about the Yankees all of the time, about how he loves them so much. And that describes him perfectly, just doing whatever it takes to help his team out.”
A laughing Gronkowski added, “I just wanna say congratulations for shining when your moment came.”
Adams was shocked when Gronkowski seemed excited for Capobianco after his infamous act, which took place in the first inning of Game 4 of the World Series.
“No, I’m not saying it’s OK,” the four-time Super Bowl champ declared. “I haven’t talked to him in a while. I mean, that whole group, they were maniacs. They were fun, that’s for sure. He’s a fun dude.”
Capobianco, a Branford, Conn. native, played for the Arizona club hockey team from 2006-08 after stints with the Boston Harbor Wolves and the New Hersey Hitmen.
“If Gronk is calling you a maniac, that’s about all you need to know,” Adams said, adding the behavior was “unhinged.”
“It is unacceptable, definitely in the world of sports,” Gronkowski said. “But when you’re that big of a sports fan — that’s what fans do whenever they have an opportunity to do that.”
Taking to X, Gronkowski doubled down on his comments, calling Capobianco a maniac during their college days in Arizona.
“Austin was a college friend,” the future Hall of Fame tight end wrote Wednesday. “Very passionate about the teams he represents. Will do anything for them. A menace, wild boy as well, he is the person that undoubtedly would say he would do that then actually do it. Maniac status since college has been confirmed.”
Capobianco and Peter are banned from Game 5 and will have their ticket prices refunded.
It’s unclear at this time if the ban will extend beyond Wednesday’s game, should the series shift back to Los Angeles.
“Last night two fans were ejected from Yankee Stadium for egregious and unacceptable physical contact with Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts,” the Yankees said in a statement Wednesday afternoon.
“The safety and security of players, fans and Stadium staff is the foundational element of every event held at Yankee Stadium, and it cannot be compromised.
“Tonight marks the final home game of year, and we want every ounce of our fans’ passion on display. Yankee Stadium is known for its energy and intensity, however the exuberance of supporting one’s team can never cross the line into intentionally putting players at physical risk.
“The Yankees and Major League Baseball maintain a zero-tolerance policy toward the type of behavior displayed last night. These fans will not be permitted to attend tonight’s game in any capacity.”
Capobianco and Peter were escorted out of Yankee Stadium after they clawed for the ball with Betts, who initially caught Gleyber Torres’ foul ball near the right-field wall.
Torres was ruled out by the right-field umpire on fan interference.
Capobianco told ESPN that he and Peter previously discussed what they would do in a situation if the ball made it to their right-field seats.
“We always joke about the ball in our area,” Capobianco said while at a local bar after the game. “We’re not going to go out of our way to attack. If it’s in our area, we’re going to ‘D’ up.
“Someone defends, someone knocks the ball. We talk about it. We’re willing to do this.”
Capobianco added that fans near his seats are aware that he patrols the area.
Betts downplayed the incident after the Dodgers’ 11-4 loss and said he was fine.
Game 5 is set for Wednesday in the Bronx.
