A's Maxwell becomes first MLB player to kneel for anthem

OAKLAND, Calif. – Oakland Athletics catcher Bruce Maxwell became the first major league baseball player to kneel during the national anthem Saturday night as he joined a protest against racial injustice that former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick began last season.

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!

— Bruce T Maxwell (@bruu_truu13) September 23, 2017

pic.twitter.com/EHXwg8Zpax

— Oakland A's 🌳🐘⚾️ (@Athletics) September 24, 2017

Yeah I bet he doesn't step to @Kaepernick7 in person and call him and the other protesters a "son of a bitch." Ignorance from our Pres

— Bruce T Maxwell (@bruu_truu13) September 23, 2017

Maxwell is an African American who was born in Wiesbaden, Germany, when his father, Bruce, was stationed there with the Army during a tour of duty.

Maxwell posted a strong response on Instagram opposing President Donald Trump's recent criticism of NFL players who kneel during the anthem.

Yeah fuck this guy! Our president speaks of inequality of man because players are protesting the anthem! Fuck this man! Seriously on the highest platform for our country expressing that it is OK for there to be Division of man and rights!

A post shared by bruce_maxwell (@bruce_maxwell) on Sep 23, 2017 at 12:11pm PDT

A's outfielder Mark Canha placed a hand on Maxwell's shoulder during the anthem before their game against the Texas Rangers at the Oakland Coliseum, then hugged him when it ended.