The viral New York Yankees fan who was ejected from Game 4 on Tuesday night for interfering with Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts had quite the friend in college.
Four-time Super Bowl champion and New England Patriots icon Rob Gronkowski revealed on the ‘Up & Adams Show’ on Wednesday he knew Austin Capobianco, who was seen ripping the ball out of Betts’ glove in the first inning of Tuesday’s game. The former tight end said they were friends when Gronkowski was at the University of Arizona.
‘Here’s a little fun fact: That guy right there grabbing Mookie Betts’ glove was my friend in college,’ Gronkowski said. ‘He was on the ice hockey team, the club Arizona Wildcats team. Let me tell you, the whole hockey team, they’re absolutely, they were absolute maniacs.’
Gronkowski added his former friend’s actions ‘represents him very well.’
‘He is all in for his teams. He is all in for the Yankees. I remember him talking about the Yankees all the time, how he loves him so much, and that describes him perfectly, just doing whatever it takes to help his team out,’ he added.
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Gronkowski congratulated Capobianco for ‘shining when your moment came,’ but said it was ‘truly unacceptable’ for what he did. He added he hasn’t spoken to him in some time, but he’s a ‘fun dude.’ He said more about Capobianco on social media.
The Yankees announced prior to Wednesday’s Game 5 that Capobianco and his friend John Peter will not be allowed back in the ballpark for Game 5 despite telling ESPN he would be allowed to do so. The Yankees said the fans’ conduct was ‘egregious and unacceptable.’ Capobianco told ESPN after the game he knew he did something wrong but didn’t appear to show remorse.
‘I patrol that wall and they know that,’ Capobianco said.
