A’s rookie Maxwell first MLB player to kneel during anthem
Rookie, after tweets against Trump, becomes first MLB player to kneel during anthem
Just as Serene Smith Wheelwright walked to the microphone to sing the national anthem, Bruce Maxwell, his back facing the crowd and his face towards the flag out in left field, dropped down to a knee on the Coliseum dirt. He covered the left side of his chest with the classic A’s green and gold hat. Mark Canha placed his hand on Maxwell’s shoulder.
A German-born American citizen and son of a U.S. Army officer who still works as a civilian in the military, Maxwell became the first MLB player to protest the anthem before a 1-0 victory over the Texas Rangers.
President Donald Trump said Friday that athletes who choose not to stand for the national anthem should be fired. That comment, which has drawn the ire of many athletes and even NFL owners, prompted Maxwell, who is African-American, to take a knee.
The decision to kneel is something Maxwell had been thinking about for a while. The fact that Trump’s words came at a rally in Alabama, where Maxwell grew up, pushed him over the edge.
“The fact that he can sit on the podium and call our NFL protesters, which as of recent have been black, out of their name with very vulgar comments simply because they’re protesting their rights is something that baffles me,” Maxwell said. “For people to have support for him for doing that is disgusting. It’s going from just a racial issue to now him demeaning man of inequality.”
Despite Maxwell’s strong beliefs, it was not an easy decision for him to make. Maxwell met with coaches and teammates before Saturday’s game and discussed his plan. If one player had advised him not to do it, Maxwell said he probably would not have done it.
“I wanted them to understand why I was doing it. I wanted to make sure I did it the right way,” Maxwell said. “They told me they were supportive of my decisions and my ability to protest, so I did it. The only platform right now that seems to be getting attention is athletes during anthems, so I did my part in doing that in baseball.”
The protest was not a one-time thing. Maxwell says he plans to continue to kneel during the anthem for every game. Canha, who embraced Maxwell with a hug after the anthem, will join him.
Having grown up in the racially diverse city of San Jose, racial issues were a part of Canha’s upbringing. Canha said he had thought about kneeling for the anthem last season. When he saw the emotion exuded by Maxwell when speaking to the team before the game, Canha immediately asked Maxwell if he could join him.
“I could tell he was getting kind of choked up and emotional about his beliefs, about how he feels about the racial discrimination that’s going on in this country right now. I felt like every fiber in my being was telling me that he needed a brother today,” Canha said. “I went to Bellarmine College Prep in San Jose. Our motto at that school is ‘Men For Others’. Today was one of those days where that motto was screaming at me and begging to be exercised.”
Maxwell is well aware of the scrutiny and negative backlash that is sure to follow his decision. He had already received a number of ugly direct messages through social media when checking his phone after the game.
“I love this country. I’ve had plenty of family members, including my father, that have bled for this country. My hand over my heart symbolized the fact that I am and forever will be an American citizen and I’m more than grateful for being here,” Maxwell said. “My kneeling is what’s getting the attention because I’m kneeling for those who don’t have a voice.”
• The attention placed on Maxwell overshadowed what was a historic night for Khris Davis. The A’s slugger accomplished a feat even A’s power-hitting legends such as Reggie Jackson, Mark McGwire, Jason Giambi, Miguel Tejada and Eric Chavez were unable to do with the organization: back-to-back 40home run seasons.
• Sean Manaea was scratched from his scheduled start due to back tightness. Starting in his place was Raul Alcantara, who gave the A’s five scoreless innings of two-hit ball to pick up his first win of the season.