Twitter Reacts to Oakland A’s Bruce Maxwell Kneeling During Anthem: ‘What Patriotism Looks Like’
Following President Donald Trump’s attacks on NFL players kneeling during the national anthem, Oakland A’s catcher Bruce Maxwell became the first major league baseball player to take part in the protests when he knelt prior to last night’s game against the Texas Rangers.
After the game, Maxwell explained to reporters that he wasn’t trying to show disrespect for the flag, but instead he’s kneeling because it is “what is getting the attention” and bringing attention to racial injustice.
Bruce Maxwell: pic.twitter.com/fRaVHf2gPs
— Jane Lee (@JaneMLB) September 24, 2017
"The only platform that seems to be getting attention is athletes kneeling, so I'm doing my part in baseball." -Bruce Maxwell @bruu_truu13 pic.twitter.com/zkBK28dpS7
— A's on NBCS (@NBCSAthletics) September 24, 2017
And his action has inspired at least one teammate to kneel in solidarity with him in the future:
Mark Canha (@outtadapakmark) says he plans on kneeling next to Bruce Maxwell (@bruu_truu13) in the future.https://t.co/mXBrnopHIv pic.twitter.com/DdpmKgt75N
— A's on NBCS (@NBCSAthletics) September 24, 2017
Bruce Maxwell, a military brat, is the first MLB player to #TakeAKnee in a sport that's only 7% black.
This is what patriotism looks like. pic.twitter.com/hyxtzI64VP
— Nick Jack Pappas (@Pappiness) September 24, 2017
Respect for Bruce Maxwell because:
1) He's a rookie
2) There are only 64 black players in MLB
3) He is now vulnerable
4) Did it anyway— Full Dissident (@hbryant42) September 24, 2017
Bruce Maxwell was born on a military base in Germany where his father, a lifelong Army man, was serving. Tonight, he took a knee. pic.twitter.com/7UODdR3dIY
— Matt Viser (@mviser) September 24, 2017
Where can I buy my Bruce Maxwell jersey?
— Shaun King (@ShaunKing) September 24, 2017
Bruce Maxwell is from a military family. He's exercising the right his family fought for. Awesome. https://t.co/Arapaex6lR
— Matt Verderame (@MattVerderame) September 24, 2017
That's heart. That's beautiful. #BruceMaxwell https://t.co/maFafVrcC7
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) September 24, 2017
Bruce Maxwell is a 26-year-old catcher with barely a year of major league service. He has a lot to lose. He knelt anyway. Principled. Brave.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) September 24, 2017
As players from the NFL and NBA spoke out all day earlier, I wondered if/when this would trickle over to MLB. S/O to Bruce Maxwell
— Jamal Collier (@JamalCollier) September 24, 2017
Bruce Maxwell, you're doing amazing https://t.co/IeVD1aNR7e
— Philip Lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) September 24, 2017
But not everyone was supportive:
I'll be turning baseball off now too-> "A’s Bruce Maxwell first MLB player to kneel for anthem" https://t.co/T5nTLOJlCE
— Dan Bongino (@dbongino) September 24, 2017
So many firsts an MLB player to do… Bruce Maxwell chose first player to publicly hate America & #TakeAKnee
His parents must be so proud… https://t.co/qmE1vnW1Nx— Minnesota Patriot (@MinnPatriot) September 24, 2017
Trump continued his assault on pro athletes expressing their political and social opinions this morning by essentially calling for an NFL boycott via Twitter. Once wonders if he’ll target MLB now.
[image via screengrab]
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