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A’s rookie Bruce Maxwell is first MLB player to kneel for national anthem

By Cody Williams

BALTIMORE, MD - AUGUST 23: Bruce Maxwell #13 of the Oakland Athletics flips his bat after striking out in the eighth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on August 23, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - AUGUST 23: Bruce Maxwell #13 of the Oakland Athletics flips his bat after striking out in the eighth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on August 23, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images) /
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After a day full of politics and sports intertwining, Oakland A’s catcher Bruce Maxwell became the first MLB player to kneel for the national anthem.

Oakland A’s rookie catcher Bruce Maxwell first let his opinions about politics be known on Instagram on Saturday. Then, when it was time to play ball in the Bay Area, he made an even bigger statement.

Saturday was a day where politics and sports converged in a way that we’ve rarely seen before. After President of the United States, Donald Trump, made controversial remarks over NFL players kneeling and protesting during the national anthem, many voiced their dissent to his message.

Athletes were perhaps the most vocal, which was only fueled when Trump then said the Golden State Warriors were no longer invited to the White House as NBA Champions due to Stephen Curry deciding not to go. The story got deeper, and more players spoke out. Maxwell was one such player, who went on a profanity laden rant about the president, which you can read via the SF Gate.

As stated, though, Maxwell’s biggest statement came on the field in the Coliseum. Once the national anthem began to be played, the catcher put his hand over his heart, but took a knee in protest. Teammate Mark Canha stood behind him and put his hand on his shoulder:

Almost immediately after the protest, the A’s organization made a bold move of their own. The team released a statement in strong support of Maxwell’s decision to kneel:

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Given the events of Friday and Saturday, it’s safe to say that Maxwell won’t be the last to protest. What’s more, it’d be a safe bet to see a large number of NFL players on Sunday taking a knee. It’s clear that this crossroads of sports and politics isn’t a place we’re leaving anytime soon.

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