Twins' Max Kepler apologizes for Blue Lives Matter mask amid protests

Minnesota Twins right fielder Max Kepler is facing backlash for wearing a Blue Lives Matter mask amid protests in Minneapolis, and the native of Germany now claims he wasn't aware of how controversial the movement is.

While Kepler initially made a short statement to the New York Daily News via Twitter, he later posted a longer explanation and apology to his Instagram story. The 27-year-old claims he received the mask from a company to wear amid the coronavirus pandemic.

"I had no idea that mask had any underlying inferences — I simply thought it looked good," Kepler wrote. "I take complete responsibility for not knowing what I was wearing. Racism has no place in our world and I do not in any way support the actions that we all witnessed that led to George Floyd's passing."

The timing of Kepler's post with the mask was questionable after George Floyd's death at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer. Floyd, an African American man, died after an officer refused to move his knee off Floyd's neck as he begged for his life and shouted he couldn't breathe.

Protests and looting have erupted in the Minneapolis area following the news of Floyd's death. Multiple Target stores, Wendy's, Autozone, Dollar Tree, Dairy Queen, Dominos, Planet Fitness, Walgreens, CVS, Sephora, H&M, Apple and Urban Outfitters are among the many stores that have been damaged.

During this extremely emotional and difficult time, the Twins released a statement regarding Floyd's death and noted they want to continue to promote an all-inclusive experience and want everyone to feel safe and welcome in the Twins community.