MLB Player Kneels During National Anthem After Signing $365 Million Contract
MLB Player Kneels During National Anthem After Signing $365 Million Contract
When the 2020 Major League Baseball season began, millions of American baseball fans were thrilled to see their favorite players be finally back on the field. Things have been delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic. What they did not expect though was for something like this to happen.
Mookie Betts took a knee in support of the protest against police brutality. And of course, the Los Angeles Dodgers fans went wild!
When he took a knee during the national anthem, Betts showed his support for all the African-Americans who are at risk of being treated unfairly by American police officers.
Before this incident happened, Betts was in the middle of serious negotiations with Dodgers management to finalize the specifics of his contract. And once concluded, Betts signed a deal worth $365 million.
That deal is a major success for him and his future. His new contract over a period of twelve years makes him the highest-paid player in Major League Baseball history!
However, it was evident from the start of Opening Day at Dodger Stadium that Betts was focused on more than just the money.
Max Muncy and Cody Bellinger showed their support for Betts by putting their hands on his shoulders as he kneeled down during the national anthem. But none of these players kneeled with Betts during the first game. Alex Cora, who used to be the manager of the Red Sox, also tweeted his support.
The San Francisco Giants were not afraid to say what they think about racism in the United States. Before playing an exhibition game against the Oakland Athletics, Mike Yastrzemski, Austin Slater, Jaylin Davis, and Antoan Richardson all knelt. Colin Kaepernick used to be on the team the San Francisco 49ers.
There is no doubt that the sports clubs in San Francisco are happy that Colin Kaepernick is often given credit for making the protest movement more well-known.
Aaron Kapler was the first manager in Major League Baseball (MLB) to kneel during the national anthem. In an interview with ESPN after the game, he talked about why he thought it was important to talk about his political beliefs.
He said, “Yeah, it was a really important unifying… on both sides. I think we felt a sense of calm in the ballpark at that moment, and it was really good to be around players who were so committed to changing the current state of systemic racism in our country.
It was really empowering to see the actions and steps that we’re taking today by Major League Baseball by the players’ alliance, the players association.
Everybody involved did a great job.”
On July 23, MLB’s Twitter account showed players from the New York Yankees and the Washington Nationals holding a 200-yard black ribbon in honor of the Black community.
They wrote: “Today, and every day, we come together as brothers. As equals, all with the same goal – to level the playing field. To change the injustices. Equality is not just a word. It’s our right! Today we stand as men from 25 nations on six continents. Today, we are one.”
Racism is still a huge problem these days. That’s why many individuals who are huge names in their field take the opportunity to use their platform to show their support against the unfair treatment of others due to race and color.
What are your thoughts about what Mookie Betts did during the national anthem?
