MLB Player Denied Restaurant Service After His Anthem Protest

The only Major League Baseball player who took a knee during the national anthem this season claims he was refused service at a restaurant because of his actions.

Oakland A's catcher Bruce Maxwell said he was at lunch with a city councilman in his home state of Alabama when their waiter recognized him and refused to work their table.

"I got racially profiled in my hometown," Maxwell told TMZ. "I wasn't even home four hours and I got denied service at lunch with our city councilman, who is also an African-American guy I went to high school with, because the dude recognized me as the guy that took a knee. He voted for Trump and was at that Trump rally in Huntsville, Alabama."

Maxwell said his friend spoke with a manager at the establishment about the issue and a new waiter was assigned to their table.

"That's the reason why I'm kneeling," Maxwell said. "Stuff like that. It's crazy to talk about it, but it's real."

Maxwell first took a knee Sept. 23 during the anthem, which several NFL players have done this season. He did the same the following day.

• Police Cut Security at Dolphins Game to Protest Kneeling During Anthem
• Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: Athletes' National Anthem Protests 'Great'