I think some people think Gravano was a rat because he was afraid of going to prison. He became a rat because he thought it was just a good decision in the situation he found himself in.

From what I know of him he has a fearless personality. When he first went into witness protection some people saw him at the Santa Rosalia feast on 18 ave. here in Brooklyn.

No one in the witness protection would not something like that if they feared being killed.