Coach Joe Kennedy resigns after experiencing "retaliation" for praying on the field

The Bremerton School District (Washington) suspended him in 2015 for publicly practicing his faith. He returned to the field after winning his case but has since resigned.

El entrenador del Distrito Escolar de Brereton Joe Kennedy. — (YouTube: CBN News)

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Alejandro Baños

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Joe Kennedy

Joe Kennedy, football coach for the Bremerton School District (Seattle, Washington), has resigned from his position just over a year after winning a lawsuit he filed after being fired for praying after games.

He resigned due to the "retaliation" he experienced after winning his lawsuit, according to First Liberty Institute, his defense, in a statement reported by The Daily Signal:

We have come to learn of serious allegations of retaliation against coach Kennedy by the Bremerton School District. They’ve done everything they can to make him feel unwelcome.

"We must stand up for what we believe in"

The coach defended his decision to resign. He said, in order to defend religious liberty and constitutional freedom, he believes it is best to do so from outside the school district:

I believe I can best continue to advocate for constitutional freedom and religious liberty by working from outside the school system so that is what I will do. I will continue to work to help people understand and embrace the historic ruling at the heart of our case. As a result of our case, we all have more freedom, not less. That should be celebrated and not disrespected. As I have demonstrated, we must make a stand for what we believe in. In my case, I made a stand to take a knee. I encourage all Americans to make their own stand for freedom and our right to express our faith as we see fit. I appreciate the people of Bremerton, the coaches, staff and especially the students and wish them all well. Bremerton will always be home.

Kennedy returned to his position on August 16. Less than a month later, the school district posted on its website announcing that it received the coach's resignation letter:

The District has received Mr. Kennedy's resignation and it is pending board approval at tomorrow's regularly scheduled meeting. The District does not comment on personnel matters, so we will not be issuing any further statements.

The case of Joe Kennedy

Joe Kennedy had been a football coach at Bremerton High School since 2008. The school suspended him in 2015 for kneeling and praying on the field after games. Kennedy took legal action, which ended last year when the Supreme Court ruled in his favor. According to the coach, his prayers were a covenant he had with God to thank Him for the opportunity to coach young athletes.

Kennedy returned to the school district after winning his lawsuit and remained there until his resignation. His last game was last Friday. On October 24, he will release his book with his story. A movie is also in pre-production.