PERSON: Joe Kennedy (High School Football Coach)

Bremerton High School

Football Coach

Joe Kennedy was head coach for the Bremerton High School junior varsity football team and an assistant coach for the varsity team. Before he even coached his first game, this Marine Corps veteran turned coach made a commitment to God that he would give thanks after every game win or lose for the opportunity to be a football coach and for his players.

So after his very first football game in 2008, Coach Kennedy waited until the players cleared the field, then took a knee and thanked God for his players. Coach Kennedy continued doing this for after every game for seven years and no students, coaches or parents ever complained about it. In fact, it was a compliment that started the problems.

On October 28, the school district suspended Coach Kennedy over his silent, 15-second prayer, stripping Coach Kennedy of his right to free religious expression—a right protected by the First Amendment, federal law, and extensive case law precedent. He was ultimately fired. First Liberty Institute filed a lawsuit against the school district in August 2016. Oral arguments were held June 12, 2017 before the U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit. However, on August 23, 2017, the Ninth Circuit ruled against Coach Kennedy and held that his prayers were not protected by the Constitution.

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