On Saturday, MLB player Bruce Maxwell let the world know exactly where he stands when it comes to the ongoing National Anthem protest that has taken over the sports world since Kaepernick started it during the 2016 NFL season.
The Oakland Athletics catcher took a knee during the national anthem, after President Donald Trump went on a rant about the protests during a rally in Huntsville, Ala. on Friday night. Maxwell became the first MLB player to kneel during the national anthem.
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
Photos from the game show Maxwell kneeling with his hand and hat over his heart facing the flag. Teammate Mark Canha is pictured placing a hand on Maxwell's shoulder. New York Daily News reports that the two players hugged after the anthem.
Tonight, Oakland A's Bruce Maxwell has become the first MLB player to take a knee during the national anthem. ✊️
????: SF Chronicle pic.twitter.com/lElsKjZ7YD
— Michael Skolnik (@MichaelSkolnik) September 24, 2017
Maxwell took to Instagram before the game to express his thoughts on Trump bashing NFL players who kneel or sit during the national anthem before games.
The A's released a statement on Twitter in support of Maxwell and inclusivity.
— Oakland A's ????????⚾️ (@Athletics) September 24, 2017
Maxwell, who was born on an American military base in Germany and is the son of an Army officer, said he isn't trying to disrespecting the military or the country in any way. After the game, Maxwell told reporters why he decided to take a knee stating that he's kneeling to symbolize that he will be a voice for the voiceless and to say that Trump is encouraging the huge divide in this country.
"The point of kneeling is not to disrespect our military. It's not to disrespect our constitution. It's not to disrespect our country. My hand was over my heart because I love this country," he said. "I've had plenty of family members, including my father, that have bled for this country, that continue to serve for this country. At the end of the day, this is the best country on the planet…
"But my kneeling is what is getting the attention, because I'm kneeling for the people that don't have a voice. This goes beyond the black community. This goes beyond the Hispanic community. Because right now, we're having a racial divide in all types of people. It's being practiced from the highest power that we have in this country, and he's basically saying that it's OK to treat people differently.
"My kneeling, the way I did it, was to symbolize the fact that I'm kneeling for a cause, but I'm in no way or form disrespecting my country or flag."
Trump's recent rant in Alabama and his tweet rescinding the White House invitation from NBA star Steph Curry has given more athletes and Americans a reason to protest – sparking conversation on social media with trending topics #TakeAKnee and #TakeTheKnee.
