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Mark Canha is right – he should have knelt with Bruce Maxwell

By David Hill

OAKLAND, CA - SEPTEMBER 24: Bruce Maxwell #13 of the Oakland Athletics kneels in protest next to teammate Mark Canha #20 duing the singing of the National Anthem prior to the start of the game against the Texas Rangers at Oakland Alameda Coliseum on September 24, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - SEPTEMBER 24: Bruce Maxwell #13 of the Oakland Athletics kneels in protest next to teammate Mark Canha #20 duing the singing of the National Anthem prior to the start of the game against the Texas Rangers at Oakland Alameda Coliseum on September 24, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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Mark Canha showed his support of Bruce Maxwell’s protest, but he could have done a lot more.

Back in 2017, Bruce Maxwell became the only player in Major League Baseball to protest racism and police brutality by taking a knee during the National Anthem. While none of his other teammates joined him in kneeling, Mark Canha showed his support by standing next to the A’s former catcher, placing his hand on his shoulder. In that gesture, he showed that Maxwell was not alone.

Now, Canha feels he should have done more. He stated that sometimes, he feels that he should have not just put his hand on Maxwell’s shoulder, but that he should have taken a knee with his teammate.

At the time, it was difficult to argue with Canha’s decision. He had displayed solidarity with Maxwell, showing that he had support on his team. Even if he was the only player taking a knee, he was not alone.

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However, hindsight is 20/20. With the current political climate, different players and leagues are stepping forward and admitting that they should have done more. The NFL admitted that they should have given Colin Kaepernick, and other protesting players, more of an audience. MLB, while they eventually made a statement, waited beyond the timeframe it took other leagues, and even their players, to speak out.

Maxwell, meanwhile, wondered where this support was during his own protest. It is also possible that the protest, coupled with his weapons charges, hastened his exit from affiliated ball, leading to his current status in the Mexican League.

Perhaps that would have been different had Canha knelt with Maxwell. But back then, Canha was hardly established as a major leaguer himself, having played in a total of 73 games between 2016 and 2017. It is possible that Canha would have jeopardized his own career by joining Maxwell in more than a symbolic gesture.

Next. Maxwell wonders where support for his protest was. dark

Now, Mark Canha wonders if he should have done more to support Bruce Maxwell and his protest. In retrospect, he should have taken a knee as well.