Joe Kennedy, a high school football coach in Washington state, has made the decision to step away from his coaching position to advocate for religious liberty. His journey began in 2015 when he was placed on administrative leave from Bremerton High School for leading on-field prayers with students. This eventually led to the loss of his job. However, this summer, the Supreme Court ruled in his favor, stating that his First Amendment rights had been violated.
In his announcement, Kennedy cited the need to care for a sick family member as one of the reasons for his departure from Bremerton High School. He expressed his belief that he can better advocate for constitutional freedom and religious liberty by working outside the school system. Kennedy’s goal is to help people understand and embrace the landmark ruling in his case, emphasizing that it has expanded freedom rather than restricted it.
Kennedy’s statement also encouraged Americans to take a stand for their beliefs, echoing his own decision to “take a knee” for his faith. He expressed gratitude to the people of Bremerton, the school staff, coaches, and students, wishing them well. Kennedy coached one final game at Bremerton, where the team emerged victorious. He plans to relocate to Florida, where he resided during his legal battle.
The school district in Bremerton has received Kennedy’s resignation, pending approval at an upcoming board meeting. In June, the Supreme Court found that Kennedy had been discriminated against due to his faith, with Justice Neil Gorsuch emphasizing the protection of religious observance under the First Amendment. Now, Kennedy is focusing on a book and film project to share his experiences with the world.