A’s catcher Bruce Maxwell, only MLB player to kneel during anthem, reaches plea deal in assault case
Oakland Athletics catcher Bruce Maxwell, who gained prominence last season as the only major leaguer to kneel during the anthem to protest racial inequality, has reached a plea deal in his assault case in Arizona.
The A’s released a statement saying Maxwell has pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct and will have to complete probation and do community service. Sentencing is scheduled for June 4.
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Maxwell, 27, was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and disorderly conduct stemming from an Oct. 28 incident in which he allegedly pointed a gun at a food-delivery worker at the player’s home in Scottsdale, Ariz. The police report also indicated Maxwell appeared to be intoxicated.
“Accepting responsibility is the first step in working to make amends for my lapse in judgment,’’ Maxwell said in the statement. “I am truly sorry for the pain that my actions have caused, and while they are not representative of who I am, I understand that I have to earn back the trust and respect of those around me.’’
Maxwell became the A’s starting catcher when the club waived veteran Stephen Vogt in June, and he batted .237 with three homers and 22 RBI for the season. Maxwell, an African American of mixed race who comes from a military family, joined the protest movement started by the NFL’s Colin Kaepernick and began kneeling during the anthem on Sept. 23.
During the offseason, Maxwell said he was denied service at a restaurant in Huntsville, Ala., because of his protest, a charge the waiter in question denied.
With the A’s signing three-time All-Star Jonathan Lucroy to be their starting catcher in mid-March, Maxwell has been relegated to backup duty. He’s hitting .273 in 11 at-bats.
“I am pleased Bruce has taken responsibility for his actions,’’ A’s general manager David Forst said in the statement. “We expect our players to conduct themselves in a manner that reflects the standards of the Oakland Athletics. His conduct in this incident did not live up to that. We have communicated with him throughout the legal process about our expectations as a representative of the organization. I believe he has already begun the work of making amends for his actions and look forward to his continued positive contributions to our community.”