Former A's catcher Bruce Maxwell, who kneeled for anthem, fires agent

Share

Former A’s catcher Bruce Maxwell, the only MLB player to take a knee during the national anthem to protest social injustice and racial inequality, fired his agent on Thursday after he grew frustrated that he remains unsigned. 

Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reported that several sources believe Maxwell might not ever get another job in the big leagues again, regardless of who represents him. 

Maxwell was arrested for aggravated assault and disorderly conduct.in October 2017 after he pulled a gun on a fast-food delivery worker, but that is not reportedly the main reason he doesn’t have a job.

“It’s the kneeling thing that might keep him from getting another job, not the arrest,” one major-league executive told Slusser on Thursday. “Owners aren’t going to want to deal with that whole anthem issue.”

After initially protesting in late 2017, Maxwell did not kneel for the anthem during the 2018 season, when he played 18 games for the A’s before being demoted to Triple-A Nashville. Maxwell hit a mere .182 in 55 at bats for Oakland and didn’t fare any better in the minors (.219/.300.281 in 200 Triple-A at-bats).

Slusser cites another source who is hesitant to make the comparison to Colin Kaepernick, who also remains unsigned ever since he started taking a knee during the national anthem in 2016.

“This is not a Colin Kaepernick situation,” the industry source told Slusser. “This is if Colin Kaepernick had knelt for the anthem and also been arrested for a gun crime.”

While it’s clear Maxwell is done donning the Green and Gold, the real question is whether he’ll get a job offer elsewhere. Maxwell hopes a new agent will help give him that opportunity.

Contact Us