Joseph Kennedy, a former high school football coach in Bremerton, Washington, is waiting for the Supreme Court to rule on his case about prayer. And he insists he is a centrist that most Americans would agree with on religious freedom issues and the U.S. Constitution.
Kennedy, a former U.S. Marine, made a habit of walking to the 50-yard line after each game to bend a knee and offer a prayer of gratitude. As more players gathered with Kennedy for his prayer over time, some of them and families said they felt “compelled to participate” out of fear they would lose playing time. Eventually, the Bremerton School District began battling Kennedy over his practices involving his faith and his work. He lost his job.
He filed a lawsuit in 2016. After a series of appeals, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear his case in 2019 but did hear it this year.
