OAKLAND, Calif. -- Delino DeShields stands with Bruce Maxwell.
He just chose not to knee with him.
On Saturday afternoon, while standing in the outfield during batting practice, Maxwell, a backup catcher with Oakland, explained to DeShields that he planned to kneel during the National Anthem. He would become the first Major League Baseball player to join a growing number of African-American professional athletes who have quietly made their feelings about social issues known by kneeling during the anthem.
He invited DeShields to join him in the statement. DeShields declined. Not because he disagreed with Maxwell's positions.