A Washington state high school football coach placed on leave because he refused to stop praying on the field is expected to attend Thursday night’s game. He didn’t say the prayers loudly but he keeled for 15 to 20 seconds after greeting the other coaches.
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“Kennedy’s conduct poses a genuine risk that the district will be liable for violating the federal and state constitutional rights of students or others”, it stated. A few wore masks. They had initially asked for permission to perform a ceremony on the field but withdrew it after the school put Kennedy on leave. Kennedy added that it hurt his heart that the controversy had reached the point where “his guys are in the locker room and I’ve got to be out here”.
The coach continued to pray in defiance of the school system, bowing his head again at the 50 yard line after the homecoming game October 16. When it was all said and done, the coach along with a small group went to their knees, and prayed in the stands. The school district had said he was allowed to attend the game as a member of the public. If you would like to discuss another topic, look for a relevant article.
On his Facebook page, where supporters were posting messages, Kennedy urged people to “forget me and come support these incredible young men” playing Thursday.
He said that he has welcomed students to pray with him but never encouraged it. He said the practice came to the district’s attention when another coach complimented him, and Bremerton High School administrators, on the practice.
Kennedy, who has prayed on the field after every game since taking the job in 2008, was assured by freedom of religion organization the Liberty Institute, that he was within his rights to pray, as long as he wasn’t forcing anyone else to join him.
His lawyers insist he is not leading students in prayer, rather praying himself and have described the decision to put him on paid leave as “shocking”.
Dozens of lawmakers in the Congressional Prayer Caucus sent a letter to the superintendent expressing support for Kennedy on Tuesday.
Kennedy was still employed and will be paid through the remainder of his contract term unless his status changes, the district said Wednesday night.
“While attending games may be voluntary for most students, students required to be present by virtue of their participation in football or cheerleading will necessarily suffer a degree of coercion to participate in religious activity when their coaches lead or endorse it”, the district said in the letter.
Another Liberty lawyer said placing Kennedy on leave was a hostile-employment action and that the group would file a charge of discrimination with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
The Satanic Temple, which has 42 members in its Seattle chapter, suggested that the district create a forum for religious expression open to all groups by allowing the coach to continue praying.
The letter said that Kennedy will not be allowed to serve as coach until he agrees to stop praying on the field.
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Members of the Seattle chapter of the Satanic Temple clad in black robes have arrived at the high school football game in Bremerton, according to Tweets with photos from a Seattle Times reporter.
