Mookie Betts kneels on his own for national anthem before Dodgers debut
Mookie Betts is the only Dodger kneeling during the anthem. Cody Bellinger has his hand on his shoulder. pic.twitter.com/6DIOzAdtLF— Jorge Castillo (@jorgecastillo) July 24, 2020″I think everybody’s on board with what’s going on in the world, how we have to make some change. It starts here and we have to do our part,” Betts told ESPN’s Michael Eaves. “It’s amazing to know that everybody here is on board with something that, like I said, we have to find a way to make change and this is the first step.”Before the anthem, everyone except Giants relief pitcher Sam Coonrod knelt for a moment of silence in an act of solidarity with recent nationwide protests against police brutality. Coonrod told reporters after the game (per Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic) that, as a Christian, kneeling would have made him a hypocrite. He also expressed concern about things he has read about the Black Lives Matter organization, which it should be noted is now part of a much broader movement that transcends its original framework.More Coonrod: “I’m a Christian and I can’t get on board with a couple things I read about Black Lives Matter. How they lean toward Marxism. And they said some things about the nuclear family. I can’t get on board with that.”— Andrew Baggarly (@extrabaggs) July 24, 2020MORE: Yankees, Nationals kneel before anthem in D.C. openerThis week has marked a surge in activism among MLB players, who have historically been quiet on the subject of racism. Reds first baseman Joey Votto was among several players to kneel during the anthem in exhibition games when he made the gesture Wednesday afternoon.MORE: MLB players explain sudden decisions to kneelBaseball is not the only sport finding its social justice voice during the U.S. response to the killing of unarmed Black man George Floyd by police in May. NASCAR, which has also typically steered clear of race-related issues, has voiced support for the country’s protests against unnecessary law enforcement violence toward Black people.Led by former 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, NFL players introduced kneeling during the anthem as a form of protest in 2016. The gesture has been controversial among fans since its inception, causing a rift in pro football between Black activists and league interests. Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts knelt during the national anthem before Thursday’s game against the Giants in apparent support of the Black Lives Matter movement.Betts, who is Black, was the only Los Angeles player to kneel during the playing of the anthem, though teammates Cody Bellinger and Max Muncy placed their hands on his shoulders. Ten members of the Giants organization knelt, including manager Gabe Kapler. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell recently apologized to players for not supporting their protests in the face of criticism.The NBA, which has been more active on such issues, is allowing players to replace their names on jerseys with messages supporting social justice causes.Betts signed a 12-year, $365 million contract extension with the Dodgers on Wednesday. He had never protested during the anthem before Thursday’s opener but did express regret at not speaking up more about racism in the past. He said after the game (per Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register) that he isn’t sure whether he will continue to kneel.