Rob Gronkowski knows viral Yankees fan who grabbed Mookie Betts and calls him a ‘maniac’ and ‘an animal’

NFL legend Rob Gronkowski has added a new layer to the drama surrounding a New York Yankees fan who grabbed Dodgers star Mookie Betts’ glove during Wednesday’s World Series – he knows the perpetrator.

Gronkowski said he was friends with the New York fan, later identified as Austin Capobianco, when the pair were student-athletes at Arizona.

Capobianco entered the World Series saga during the first inning of Tuesday’s Game 4 of the championship series when he interfered with Betts’ attempt to catch a foul ball from the front row of the crowd at Yankee Stadium.

Capobianco tried to forcefully rip it out of Betts’ glove with both hands. His friend, John Peter, then grabbed Betts’ hand without gloves. After the ball finally flew out of his glove onto the field, it was ruled fan interference and an out.

Both men were quickly ejected from the stadium and have been suspended for Wednesday’s Game 5 due to the incident. However, Gronkowski seemed proud of Capobianco less than a day later.

Gronkowski knows the Yankees fan who grabbed Mookie Betts’ glove during the World Series

“This is actually the first time I’ve seen this live, and here’s a fun fact: that guy over there that grabbed Mookie Betts’ glove was my friend in college,” Gronkowski said on FanDuel TV’s Op & Adams.

“He was on the club ice hockey team, the Arizona Wildcats ice hockey team. And let me tell you, the entire hockey team were absolute maniacs. They were indescribable. Animals, those boys were so wild.’

‘For him to do that, it represents him very well. I mean, he’s all about his teams. He’s all in for the Yankees. I remember him talking about the Yankees all the time, how he loves them so much. And that characterizes him perfectly: he does everything he can to help his team.’

‘He’s a beauty. I just want to say congratulations for SHINNING when your moment came. … I’m not saying it’s right.’

Host Kay Adams then wanted Gronkowski to further analyze what “his friend” did while millions watched.

Austin Capobianco (left), a season ticket holder from Connecticut, was ejected for his antics

Betts was seen yelling at fans after the incident during Game 4 of the World Series

“I haven’t talked to him in a while,” Gronkowski clarified, before reiterating that he and the Wildcats hockey team were maniacs.

“If Gronk calls you a maniac, that’s about all you need to know,” Adams replied. “This is unhinged behavior.”

‘It is unacceptable, especially in the sports world. But when you’re such a big fan, that’s what fans do. I mean, whenever they get a chance to do that,” Gronkowski responded.

This isn’t the first time Gronkowski has recently admitted to knowing someone besides Adams in the public eye.

Earlier this month, he said he knew Laith Wallschleger, who plays Gronkowski on Aaron Hernandez: American Sports Story.

Gronkowski said he knew Wallschleger, a former college football player from the University of Delawarefor 14 years.

Aaron Judge and New York won their first World Series game against the Dodgers on Tuesday

An Anthony Volpe Grand Slam gave the Yankees the lead for good in Game 4 in the Bronx

According to the New York PostCapobianco and Peter will have their tickets refunded to Game 5 after they tried to snatch the ball out of Betts’ glove when the Dodgers star caught Gleyber Torres’ ball against the wall in foul territory.

“I know when I’m wrong and as soon as I did it I thought, ‘Guys, I’m out of here.’ I patrol that wall and they know it,” Yankees season ticket holder Austin Capobianco told ESPN.

‘In our environment we always joke about the ball. Someone defends, someone knocks the ball. We talk about it. We are prepared to do this.’

Capobianco told ESPN he was told he could return Wednesday night, but that is no longer the case. ESPN reported this later Wednesday that MLB asked the Yankees to ban Capobianco and his friend.

The Yankees ‘fully agree’ with the plan to suspend both men, according to CNN.

The Yankees won their first game of the World Series 11-4 after the incident and needed a win to keep their season alive.

Game 5 is Wednesday in the Bronx, the Yankees’ final home game of the season, win or lose, as Games 6 and 7 could be in Los Angeles.

No MLB team has ever forced a Game 6 in World Series history after trailing 3-0 in the championship.

New York is already in a rare mood as the fourth team to push the World Series to a Game 5.