Praying Football Coach Felt Like an ‘Outsider,’ Resigns After Supreme Court Win

In 2015, Kennedy was fired from his coaching position by the school district. The district cited insubordination and unconstitutional actions. Kennedy argued that the district was infringing upon his religious rights and sued.

“This case is challenging well-established case law that has protected students’ religious freedom for decades, and that has been supported by conservative and liberal justices alike,” said Rachel Laser, chief executive of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, which represented the school district. “If the court rules the wrong way, teachers and coaches could pressure students to pray in every public school classroom across the country.”

Over the course of several years of lower courts ruling for the district, the case made its way to the Supreme Court. The court ruled in Kennedy’s favor, saying that his prayers were protected by the First Amendment.

Kennedy was reinstated as assistant football coach this year. “It’s been a long road and many heartbreaking years, but it’s great that it’s finally worked out,” Kennedy told KING. “Everyone who has been supporting me and praying for me is what kept me going.”

The school district issued a statement reiterating its “commitment to respecting the rights and religious freedoms of students, families, and school staff, and to keeping football games, and all school events, safe for the students we serve.”

“We look forward to moving past the distraction of this nearly 8-year legal battle so that our school community can focus on what matters most: providing our children the best education possible,” the district’s statement continued. “We are excited about a great football season.”