Bruce Maxwell, first MLB player to kneel during national anthem, signs with Mets

Bruce Maxwell has signed a deal to join the New York Mets, pending a physical and coronavirus testing, marking the return of the first MLB player to kneel during the national anthem.

The catcher was playing for the Oakland Athletics in 2017 when he knelt in solidarity with Colin Kaepernick and other athletes who were protesting systemic racism and police brutality in America. He was out of the league shortly after, as he had not played in the MLB since 2018.

Since the death of George Floyd, sports leagues, including the MLB, have become more open to players expressing their beliefs when it comes to racial and social justice. Maxwell voiced his frustration regarding the hypocrisy, saying that the league that ostracized him is now pretending to be on his side when it comes to racial justice.

"The season's gonna resume. They're going to get more fame because it's going to look like they're standing up for what's right," Maxwell told ESPN. "They're making T-shirts and they're showing they care, but they don't go back to the original sacrificed person. Where was all of this then? It's easy to talk because everyone's talking. I was out there by myself. I'm bitter as f---, and I'm not hiding it."