**Former NFL Star Rob Gronkowski Reacts to Friend's Ejection from World Series Game**

In a surprising twist of fate, former NFL tight end Rob Gronkowski recently revealed a personal connection to one of the Yankees fans ejected from Game 5 of the World Series. Austin Capobianco, a former college friend of Gronkowski’s, was banned from attending the game after an altercation that involved prying a foul ball out of the glove of Dodgers right fielder Mookie Betts during Game 4.

During an appearance on the "Up & Adams" show on FanDuel TV, Gronkowski reminisced about his college days at the University of Arizona, where Capobianco was part of the club Arizona Wildcats ice hockey team. Highlighting the wild nature of his former teammates, Gronkowski stated, "He was on the 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."

Gronkowski shared footage of Capobianco, now 38, and another friend, John Peter, reflecting on their college antics. "Him doing that represents him very well," Gronkowski said. "He is all in for the Yankees...that describes him perfectly, just doing whatever it takes to help his team out." Despite the controversial nature of Capobianco's actions, Gronkowski congratulated his friend for "shining" in the moment.

The incident occurred in the first inning of Game 4, leading to Capobianco and Peter's removal from Yankee Stadium. The Yankees released a statement condemning their behavior, emphasizing the importance of safety and security for players, fans, and staff. "The Yankees and Major League Baseball maintain a zero-tolerance policy toward the type of behavior displayed last night," the statement read. The two fans had their ticket prices refunded and were not permitted to attend Game 5.

Capobianco, originally from Branford, Connecticut, discussed the event with ESPN at a local bar afterward. He explained that he and Peter had pre-planned their actions if a ball ever came near their seats. "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're going to 'D' up."

The repercussions and potential further bans remain uncertain as the series progresses. Despite the controversy, Gronkowski stood by his college friend's passionate nature, even calling him a "menace" and a "wild boy" on social media. As Yankees and Dodgers fans alike reflect on the incident, it’s clear that the fervor of sports fandom can sometimes cross the line, even for seasoned supporters like Capobianco.