Oakland Athletics catcher Bruce Maxwell was cheered by the home crowd on Monday in his first at-bat since becoming the first Major League Baseball player to kneel during the playing of the national anthem.

Maxwell began kneeling during the anthem before Saturday's home game against the Texas Rangers and has done so in every game since. Teammate Mark Canha has stood next to Maxwell with a hand on the kneeling catcher's shoulder for each game as well.

Maxwell went 0-for-3 Monday as the visiting Seattle Mariners cruised to a 7-1 win. Afterward, Maxwell said he was surprised by the reaction from the crowd of 9,329.

"It was unexpected, just because of the negativity that I've gotten, but it was refreshing," Maxwell said, according to MLB.com. "People actually care about people in this country, so it's a good thing.

"I've gotten a ton of support but also a ton of hate, so seeing a lot of fans putting the action itself aside and understanding the reason why I'm doing what I'm doing is huge and kind of made me smile a little bit. So that's a good feeling."

Maxwell, the son of a U.S. Army veteran, explained his decision to kneel for the anthem after Saturday's game.

"My decision has been coming for a long time," he said. "I know I was on the fence for a long time because I know no one in baseball has ever done it. I finally got to the point where I thought the inequality of man is being discussed, and it's being practiced from our president.

"The point of my kneeling is not to disrespect our military, it's not to disrespect our constitution, it's not to disrespect this country. ... My hand over my heart symbolizes the fact that I am and I'll forever be an American citizen, and I'm more than grateful to be here. But my kneeling is what is getting the attention because I'm kneeling for the people that don't have a voice.

"And this goes beyond the black community, and this goes beyond the Hispanic community, because right now we're having an indifference and a racial divide in all types of people. It's being practiced from the highest power that we have in this country, and it's basically saying that it's OK to treat people differently. My kneeling, the way I did it, was to symbolize that I'm kneeling for a cause, but I'm in no way or form disrespecting my country or my flag."

After Monday's game, Maxwell is batting .240 with three home runs and 21 RBIs for the season.