Oakland bench coach apologizes after igniting controversy with postgame arm gesture

A’s bench coach Ryan Christenson found himself embroiled in controversy Thursday after making what appeared to be a Nazi salute while celebrating the team’s victory over the Texas Rangers.

In video captured from the NBC Sports Bay Area telecast, Christenson is seen standing in the handshake line outside the dugout with his right arm extended, palm down, as the

A’s players come off the field. Relief pitcher Liam Hendriks briefly stops to say something to

Christenson, who lowers his arm – then raises it against momentarily.

The video clip erupted on social media, with many commenters calling for Christenson’s immediate dismissal.

Christenson released a statement:

“I made a mistake and will not deny it. Today in the dugout I greeted players with a gesture that was offensive. In the world today of COVID, I adapted our elbow bump, which we do after wins, to

create some distance with the players. My gesture unintentionally resulted in a racist and horrible salute that I do not believe in. What I did is unacceptable and I deeply apologize.”

The A’s added their own statement, too:

“A’s bench coach Ryan

Christenson greeted players with a gesture that looked like a Nazi salute. We do not support or condone this gesture or the racist sentiment behind it. This is incredibly offensive, especially in these times when we as a Club and so many others are working

to expose and address racial inequities in our country. We are deeply sorry that this happened on our playing field.”

Christenson said he received a call at home from A’s GM David Forst and knew why instantly.

“Obviously I wasn’t

doing that intentionally,” Christenson said of the gesture in an interview with Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle. “I just blacked out, my mind wasn’t there and I spaced out. I’m sure it looks terrible. I did it, but it was not intentional.”