Christian Coach Reinstated After Being Fired For Praying At High School Football Games

After the First Amendment was reinforced by the Supreme Court earlier this year, an assistant high school football coach in Washington state that was previously fired for praying on the 50-yard line at the end of games eight years ago is being reinstated alongside a $1.78 million settlement. 

The assistant coach's name is John Kennedy and he was suing Bremerton School District for being unrightfully fired back in 2015. According to KOMO News, the case went to the Supreme Court twice before being decided that the termination violated his First Amendment right to both freedom of religion and freedom of speech.

The court decided on his reinstatement to the position alongside the massive $1.78 million settlement as compensation for loss of earnings over the many years he didn’t have the job. 

"I’m a little nervous, to tell you the truth, and it’s more just because first game is coming up and it’s been... I got to get... knock the rust off. It’s been a while," Kennedy said. “I know Sept. 1 (the team's first game of the season) is what I’ve asked for to be able to be a coach and be able to take a knee after the game. Thankful for it. That’s all I ever asked for. Anything beyond that, it’s just gonna be gravy."

The move that landed Kennedy in hot water at the time was taking a knee in prayer every game, regardless of whether or not the high school football team managed to win their game. He was also asked whether he needed to go the length that he does to pray, with Kennedy responding, “I could, but my commitment was, you know, that’s the way I’ve always done it. When I said I was going to give God the glory after every game, win or lose, on the football field.”

“That’s my tradition; that’s what I’ll do,” he continued. “I’ll be just as good, really makes no difference. God doesn’t care, but I want to be thankful. I don’t know if I’ll be able to stand after the game. I might be a little emotional about it and taking a knee might be a good thing.”

Schools attacking staff members for not falling in line with modern liberal opinions is nothing new. Every day there are new reports about a school staff member being punished for lifting traditional gender roles all the while other teachers are showing kids borderline pornographic material and being celebrated by their districts. Things are not going well in public schools but at least Kennedy can return to the field.