The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear the case of a Christian high school football coach who was fired from his job for praying on the field after games.
The Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in the case Kennedy v. Bremerton School District, in which former Seattle-area football coach, Joe Kennedy, is seeking to reverse a lower court decision that allowed the school district to fire him because fans and students could see him take a knee in silent prayer at the 50-yard line after football games.
In 2016, Kennedy sued the school district after being suspended for his practice of praying on the football field after games, accusing officials of violating his religious freedom, and has been fighting the legal battle ever since.
Kelly Shackelford, president and CEO of First Liberty said, “No teacher or coach should lose their job for simply expressing their faith while in public. By taking this important case, the Supreme Court can protect the right of every American to engage in private religious expression, including praying in public, without fear of punishment.”
Kennedy was grateful the supreme court was taking his case saying, “Six years away from the football field has been far too long. I pray that I will soon be able to be back on the field coaching the game and players I love.”
Former Vice President Mike Pence; Tommy Bowden, son of legendary football coach Bobby Bowden; NFL Hall of Famer Steve Largent; and three-time Super Bowl winner Chad Hennings are among many others who filed “friend-of-the-court” briefs urging the Supreme Court to take the case.