A's catcher Maxwell kneels for national anthem
Prior to Saturday's game against the visiting Texas Rangers, Oakland Athletics catcher Bruce Maxwell knelt for the national anthem.
.@bruu_truu13 is the 1st MLB player to kneel for the National Anthem. pic.twitter.com/95TNPhxXwc
— A's on NBCS (@NBCSAthletics) September 24, 2017
Maxwell, who has been critical of President Donald Trump on his Instagram and Twitter accounts, comes from a military family, according to the San Francisco Chronicle's Susan Slusser, and is described as being "highly patriotic." His father, also named Bruce, was stationed in Germany with the military when he was born.
"This now has gone from just a BlackLives Matter topic to just complete inequality of any man or woman that wants to stand for Their rights!" he tweeted following Trump's recent criticism of players disrespecting the anthem.
Maxwell suggested earlier Saturday that more kneeling could be expected in other sports after the president's comments.
Don't be surprised if you start seeing athletes kneeling in other sports now!! Comments like that coming from our president. WOW!
— Bruce T Maxwell (@bruu_truu13) September 23, 2017
His teammate Mark Canha was seen with a hand on Maxwell's shoulder as he knelt, and they embraced after the anthem concluded.
After the anthem, teammate Mark Canha embraced him. #BruceMaxwell #anthemprotest #oakland #athletics pic.twitter.com/ObzCpjxz3d
— Santiago Mejia (@SantiagoMejia) September 24, 2017
The 26-year-old rookie wasn't in Saturday's lineup, as he was placed in the concussion protocol.
As Maxwell was kneeling, the team issued a statement championing players' rights to express themselves:
— Oakland A's 🌳🐘⚾️ (@Athletics) September 24, 2017