WA high school football coach wins $1.7M settlement and job reinstatement after being fired for praying at games

[Valin]

The Post Millennial

Kennedy argued that the prayers were private acts of faith.
Roberto Wakerell-Cruz Montreal QC
Mar 22, 2023

The Washington state high school football coach who was fired for leading students in prayers on the field after games has reportedly been awarded a $1.7 million settlement and will regain his job next season.

The Bremerton school board unanimously accepted the settlement following a US Supreme Court ruling in June 2022 that coach Joseph Kennedy's prayer groups were protected under the First Amendment.

Kennedy's attorney stated that the coach will return to Bremerton to resume his football duties as an assistant coach for Bremerton High School in the 2023 season. The school district will pay his attorneys in interest-free installments over three fiscal years.

Kennedy had coached at Bremerton High School since 2008 and began praying alone at the 50-yard line after games. He eventually gained student and player participation and began giving talks with religious references, the Seattle Times reports.

(Snip)