Maxwell kneels again for anthem

OAKLAND — A’s catcher Bruce Maxwell pressed a hand against his chest Sunday and took a knee for the national anthem for the second straight game, part of the protestmovement that has been criticizedby PresidentDonald Trump.

On Saturday, the 26-year-old rookie became the first majorleague player to kneel during “The Star-Spangled Banner” before the A’s played the Rangers. For the second straight day, teammate Mark Canha put a hand onMaxwell’s shoulder in a showof support.

Maxwell, who grew up in Huntsville, Ala., said Saturday he and his sister dealt with racism “all the way through my childhood.”

“The racism in the South is pretty aggressive,” Maxwell said. “I feel that’s something that needs to be addressed and needs to be changed.”

Canha acknowledged trepidation about his decision to support Maxwell but added that “just the fact that I had that small amount of fear and hesitation speaks volumes that we need some change.”

Having grown up in the San Francisco Bay Area and played at California, Canha said he shares the values of one of the nation’s most politically progressive regions.

“It’s ingrained into me and something that I believe in,” Canha said. “I’m right on board with it.”

A’s manager Bob Melvin said Maxwell’s protest was a courageous act, noting that the decision to become the first player in the majors to adopt the protest came with risk.

“You know that now the potential crosshairs are on you,” Melvin said before Sunday’s game. “I do know that he felt better about it afterward.”