Washington State: Joseph Kennedy, a Bremerton School District football coach, triumphed after an eight-year legal battle over his 2015 termination.
The conflict stemmed from Kennedy’s refusal to halt speeches with religious references and prayers with players.
Initially, Kennedy prayed alone, but students joined, sparking concerns of peer pressure.
In a pivotal decision, the Supreme Court ruled in Kennedy’s favor, mandating his rehire for the 2023 season and a $1.7 million settlement from the district.
The district confirmed Kennedy’s reinstatement, asserting, “Mr. Kennedy will be an assistant football coach for Bremerton High School for the 2023 season.”
The court upheld his prayer rights under the First Amendment.
School board president Alyson Rotter aims to refocus on education, stating, “Our school community can focus on what matters most: providing our children the best education possible.”
Kennedy expressed relief to the Daily Mail, stating, “I did nothing wrong. Everything I did was fine.” He started his post-game gratitude tradition from the beginning.
This resolution highlights the intersection of religious freedom and education.
