A high school football coach in Washington state who won his job back after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled he could pray on the field resigned Wednesday after just one game back.

Assistant Bremerton High School coach Joe Kennedy made the announcement on his website, citing several reasons, including that he needed to care for an ailing family member out of state. He had been living full-time in Florida, and before the first game last Friday he said he didn’t know if he’d continue coaching.

“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,” Kennedy wrote. “I will continue to work to help people understand and embrace the historic ruling at the heart of our case.”

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[+] 191 points 3 years ago* (last edited 3 months ago) (9 children)
  • [–] 71 points 3 years ago (3 children)

    they really don’t like it when you hit ‘em with the Matthew 6:5

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    [–] 123 points 3 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) (1 child)
  • [–] 84 points 3 years ago (4 children)

    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

    Damnit, he's going to run for Congress.

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    [–] 65 points 3 years ago* (7 children)

    And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

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    [–] 60 points 3 years ago (1 child)

    "can best continue to advocate for constitutional freedom and religious liberty by" ostracizing other religious beliefs and making those students feel uncomfortable

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  • [–] 37 points 3 years ago (1 child)

    This is the part that gets skipped.

    It wasn't him just going out and saying a little, quiet prayer to himself. I wouldn't give a shit about that, I don't think anybody would. You do you.

    He was bringing a ton of students into the fold. The whole team was praying with him.

    He claimed that it wasn't required or expected but come on. You know damn well if you were a player on the team and you're the only guy not praying, you're gonna have a bad time.

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  • [–] 54 points 3 years ago (2 children)

    Love how SCOTUS misrepresented facts in this case. Thanks Cardinal Alito and Cult Lady Barrett.

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  • [–] 49 points 3 years ago (1 child)

    He just decided that "victimhood" pays better than coaching that's all. It's just Economics.

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  • [–] 46 points 3 years ago*

    He's always was just another Republican snowflake looking for attention, by doing what the Bible says not to fucking do btw, and money.

    Fuck this fake ass Republican bigot, racist, and honestly shitty fake ass Christian.

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  • [–] 43 points 3 years ago

    In other words "news" outlets are paying him more to be on TV as a mouthpiece. C'mon now buddy, almost everyone knows the hustle now.

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  • [–] 23 points 3 years ago

    Wonder what happens if a coach bows and prays to Satan on the field, will his rights be respected too?

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  • [–] 16 points 3 years ago

    Pretty sure it was a political stunt from the start.

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  • [–] 4 points 3 years ago

    This is actually common. My brother in law lost his state job when he enlisted in the National Guard. They claimed it was for another reason, but his issues with managing didn't start until he announced he had enlisted. He sued, won and got his job back after boot camp. His first day back he turned in his 2 Weeks notice. For these cases it's just proving the point and winning the right to go.out on their own terms.

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  • [–] 2 points 3 years ago (2 children)

    This is a very misleading article and leaves out the (key) first part of his statement:

    "[I]t is apparent that the reinstatement ordered by the Supreme Court will not be fully followed after a series of actions meant to diminish my role and single me out in what I can only believe is retaliation by the school district," Kennedy wrote.

    They're welcome to try to sue for defamation if he's lying, but I suspect he'll end up winning a pretty penny in a lawsuit of his own.

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