A's Bruce Maxwell says he was refused service in hometown for kneeling during national anthem

A's catcher Bruce Maxwell kneels during the national anthem before the start against the Texas Rangers Saturday, Sept. 23, 2017, in Oakland. Maxwell became the first MLB player to kneel during the national anthem. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)

A’s catcher Bruce Maxwell said in an interview with TMZ that he was denied service at a restaurant in his hometown of Alabama by a waiter who supported President Trump and recognized Maxwell as the player who took a knee during the national anthem.

Maxwell was joined by a councilman at lunch. The waiter’s refusal was based on Maxwell’s decision to join in solidarity with NFL players protesting police brutality and racial injustice. Maxwell’s demonstration was after Trump addressed NFL protesters at an Alabama rally, stating if a player protests the owners should “get that son of a bitch off the field.”

The waiter was at that rally.

“I got racially profiled in my hometown the day I got home – wasn’t even home four hours and I got denied service at lunch,” Maxwell said. “He was like, ‘You the guy who took the knee? I voted for Trump and I stand for everything he stands for.”

The councilman “had some words” with the manager and a new waiter was assigned to the table, but not before the actions reminded Maxwell why he chose to make a statement in the first place.

“Unless you’re subject to it, you won’t understand it, you won’t feel it,” Maxwell said, who emphasized the incident occuring his hometown. “I’m 26-years-old. I’m very respectful, very educated, and it still happens to this day. That’s the reason I’m kneeling.”

Maxwell’s demonstrations fostered a relationship with Colin Kaepernick, quarterback for the 49ers who was the first NFL player to take a knee during preseason in 2016. Maxwell reached out to Kaepernick two days after he took a knee and they have been speaking regularly since.

“He’s such a strong, level-headed individual,” Maxwell said. “He’s got his goals, he’s moving forward and he’s got a plan. And if the first step doesn’t work, he’s got a second step to take over.”

Dusty Baker, Coco Krisp, Torii Hunter and Adam Jones are among the MLB players who have reached out to Maxwell in support of his actions.

“That elder influence at the same level of sports is huge for me,” Maxwell said. “Especially since I’m the only one in the MLB.”

Maxwell is the only MLB player that has taken a knee during the national anthem.