Coach who successfully fought for the right to pray on the field promises to kneel again, bringing God back.
High School Football Coach Vows to “Bring God Back” After 7-Year Legal Battle
A Washington state high school football coach, Joe Kennedy, who was terminated for post-game prayers with students, is determined to make a powerful comeback. After a lengthy legal fight that reached the highest court last year, Kennedy is ready to “bring God back” when he returns to the field on Friday night.
Kennedy, a former assistant football coach in Bremerton, Washington, began a post-game prayer ritual in 2008. However, in 2015, school officials instructed him to cease his silent prayers. Despite this setback, Kennedy plans to kneel and pray at the 50-yard line once again, as he has done since the very beginning.
A Legal Battle for Freedom of Religion
In 2015, Kennedy was relieved of his coaching duties after other students started joining his post-game prayers. He filed a lawsuit, claiming that the Bremerton School District violated his First Amendment right to freedom of religion. This legal battle culminated in a Supreme Court decision in his favor on June 27, 2022.
Although Kennedy admits feeling a bit rusty after his long-awaited return to the field, he is determined to stand up against the district’s disapproval. Despite their lack of enthusiasm, Kennedy has received overwhelming support from the local community, students, and his fellow coaching staff.
Justice Neil Gorsuch, who wrote the majority opinion, stated that the government had sought to punish Kennedy for engaging in a brief, quiet, personal religious observance. He criticized the government’s justification for suppressing religious observances while allowing comparable secular speech.
A Story of Resilience and Inspiration
Kennedy’s legal saga has led him to write a book, titled “Average Joe: The Coach Joe Kennedy Story,” which is set to be released on Oct. 24. The book chronicles his journey from being a 20-year Marine Corps veteran who fought in the Gulf War to becoming a praying coach and the subsequent court battle that reached the highest court twice.
In addition to the book, a movie about Kennedy’s life, also called “Average Joe,” is in production by GND Media Group, the producer behind the “God’s Not Dead” movie series.
Reflecting on his tumultuous life, Kennedy hopes that his story will inspire others. From an unwanted pregnancy to homelessness and time spent in group homes, foster homes, and boys’ homes, Kennedy’s book offers a firsthand account of his challenging upbringing.
As for his future as a coach, Kennedy remains open to what lies ahead. He sees this season as a goal he wants to accomplish, and once he takes that knee on the 50-yard line, he will feel like he has completed his mission.
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