High School Coach Stands Ground on Post-Game Prayer

A high school football coach is putting his job on the line because he plans to pray Friday night after the game, just like always.

For the last nine years, Coach Joe Kennedy has prayed on the 50-yard line after each game, giving thanks to God, win or lose.

Over time, people began to join him – first his players, then people in the stands, even members of the opposing team.  It grew into a tradition at the home games in which many people participated.

Coach Kennedy shared more about the case with CBN's Lorie Johnson. Click play to watch.

Now, the school district is asking the coach to stop the prayer for fear of violating the law.

The school superintendent sent a letter to Coach Kennedy stating that since his school, Bremerton High, is a public institution funded by taxpayer dollars, "talks with students may not include religious expression, including prayer."

The district says students may not pray at the direction of a school employee.

The Liberty Institute has now taken Coach Kennedy's case. The legal firm says Kennedy has every right to practice his faith.