Los Angeles Dodgers star Mookie Betts kneeled during the U.S. national anthem before his team's season-opening game against the San Francisco Giants.
Betts was the only Dodgers player to kneel, with teammates Max Muncy and Cody Bellinger standing with their hands on his shoulders.
United. pic.twitter.com/ZnFyqyMNm3
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) July 24, 2020
Former Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora immediately applauded the 27-year-old.
Proud of you @mookiebetts. Nunca cambies.
— Alex (@ac13alex) July 24, 2020
Several members of the Giants, including manager Gabe Kapler, also kneeled.
Betts, who said in 2016 he would always stand for the anthem because his father served in the Vietnam War as a member of the Air Force, explained why he took a knee.
"I wasn't educated," Betts said of the change, according to ESPN's Alden Gonzalez. "That's my fault. I need to be educated on the situation. I know my dad served and I'll never disrespect the flag, but there's also gotta be change in the world, and kneeling has nothing to do with those who served our country."
Betts added that he's undecided on whether he'll continue to kneel as the season progresses.
"I think kneeling is definitely something that shows we need change, but also I have to put some action into play as far as away from MLB," he said. "That's my primary goal. Today was just to unify both sides and just to show that we are here for change."
The 2018 American League MVP joined the Dodgers in a trade from Boston in February. Los Angeles signed him to a 12-year extension reportedly worth $365 million on Wednesday.
