Joe Kennedy: Bremerton Football Coach Suspended For 50-Yard Line Prayer
Joe Kennedy, a football coach at Bremerton High School, has been suspended for praying on the field after the game. The assistant football coach refused to stop exercising his religious freedom on the 50-yard line post game.
After the story about Joe Kennedy being suspended for praying went viral, the Bremerton School District issued a statement about the controversy. Officials at the school maintained that the assistant football coach was not removed from the field because he chose to clasp his hands together in prayer, but because doing so could be viewed as an endorsement of religion by Bremerton High School.
“This action was necessitated by Kennedy’s refusal to comply with the district’s lawful and constitutionally required directives that he refrain from engaging in overt, public religious displays on the football field while on duty as a coach,” the release from the Washington school district read.
Coach Joe Kennedy has arrived at the Bremerton HS stadium, will watch the game from the stands. pic.twitter.com/4pSvt9lEhm
— Heather Graf (@HeatherGrafK5) October 30, 2015
The statement about the Bremerton football coach went on to note that the district appreciated Joe Kennedy’s “positive contributions” to the athletic program and regrets the suspension had to be issued.
“Kennedy’s conduct poses a genuine risk that the district will be liable for violating the federal and state constitutional rights of students or others,” the Bremerton School District public release said.
Liberty Institute senior attorney Mike Berry said the Joe Kennedy football suspension decision amounted to the creation of a hostile work environment, according to the Seattle Times. The Texas-based organization plans to file an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission complaint against the Washington school district.
Satantists: If football coach can pray on field after game, we can perform an invocation https://t.co/wSB3VtjeEN pic.twitter.com/h4vWzNzfBm
— Talking Points Memo (@TPM) October 30, 2015
“We’re prepared to take the necessary legal actions to defend Coach Kennedy’s religious freedom. His religious expression is not something he should hide or be ashamed of,” the Liberty Institute attorney added.
In September, a Facebook page was created in an effort to show support for Coach Joe Kennedy. The page is filled with encouraging comments that have encouraged the Bremerton football coach to not give up his fight to exercise his right to religious freedom.
“He has been praying with all kids and coaches, win or lose, on the 50-yard line after each game home or away for the past nine years. He does not force anyone to pray. Let us all show is support by praying with him after the game,” one Facebook post read.
Bremerton High School posed what they felt was an acceptable alternative to the football field prayer to Joe Kennedy. District officials reportedly suggested that the coach pray privately in the press box or another nearby room away from the view of the players and the public.
“To date, Mr. Kennedy has not taken the district up on any of these offers. Instead, his legal representatives have clearly stated in the media that an accommodation that does not allow Kennedy the spotlight of the 50-yard line immediately following games will be unacceptable to him,” the school district statement also notes.
“Whatever happens happens, you know. But I’m going to be bold in my faith and I;m going to fight the good fight,” Joe Kennedy said during an interview with the Bremerton Patriot. “I want to set that example for every one of the kids if you believe in something.”
What do you think about Bremerton High School suspending football coach Joe Kennedy?
[Image via Shutterstock.com]
