Average Joeናሙና

DAY 6: A Righteous Reward

It took many years and multiple attempts for Kennedy v. Bremerton School District to be officially accepted and ruled upon by the Supreme Court, but the day finally arrived for Coach Joe and his legal team. In June 2022, a 6–3 decision was announced: Joe Kennedy’s prayers on the Bremerton football field—even in his capacity as a public-school employee—were acts of religious expression, and as such, they were protected by the First Amendment. Bremerton had infringed upon Joe’s constitutional rights by disciplining him for expressing his faith in a way that did not coerce students or disrupt school activities.

This monumental ruling was a win for Joe Kennedy, but it was also so much more for the Marine-turned-football coach. As a member of the United States military, Joe had fought for the rights of every American, not just Christians. Freedom of religious expression is one of those rights, and he simply could not sit by and watch it be taken away from himself or anyone else. It was a grueling battle, but the outcome was a crucial victory for all Americans and the generations to follow.

Reflection

• How did Coach Joe’s commitment to his faith influence his identity as both a coach and a veteran?
• What implications does this ruling have for future cases involving religious expression in public schools and institutions?
• Do you think the battle would have been worth the cost even if the Supreme Court had ruled against Coach Joe? Why or why not?