WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Supreme Court has sided with a Bremerton High School football coach the district fired for kneeling and praying on the field after games.
The court’s conservative majority found Joe Kennedy’s action was protected by the first amendment.
They emphasized that the coach’s prayer came after the game was over and at a time when he wasn’t responsible for students.
Kennedy says he’s grateful for the ruling.
“I’m just so thankful that it’s finally over and it’s so awesome. I think it’s a great ruling for America for people of faith or no faith,” said Kennedy. “Everybody has the same rights and that’s what the constitution is all about. It’s rights for all Americans.”
The liberal justices in the minority said there was evidence that Kennedy’s prayers had a coercive effect on students and allowed him to incorporate his “personal religious beliefs into a school event.”
Kennedy is retired and living in Florida but expects the Bremerton School District to offer him his job back.