Bruce Maxwell became the first MLB player to protest during the national anthem

Oakland Athletics catcher Bruce Maxwell became the first Major League Baseball player to kneel during the national anthem on September 23, 2017. Maxwell stated the act was intended to protest racial injustice and to support broader freedom of expression following comments made by President Donald Trump regarding NFL players. Teammate Mark Canha stood alongside him with a hand on his shoulder in a show of support. Following the protest, Maxwell faced public backlash and reported receiving multiple death threats. These stressors coincided with an off-the-field arrest for disorderly conduct during the 2017 offseason. His MLB career subsequently declined, leading to stints in Mexico and time in the minor league systems of the New York Mets and San Francisco Giants.

• 12:00 PMYahoo Sports — How A's catcher Bruce Maxwell brought taking a knee to MLB and what happened afterwards