Joseph Kennedy will return to the football field as Bremerton High School begins its season in Washington state on Friday night.
Kennedy was let go in 2015 after leading the team and others in prayer on the field. However, the Supreme Court ruled his methods were protected by the First Amendment, and he received a $1.7 million settlement before being ultimately reinstated.
“It’s going to feel really great just to be able to know that the First Amendment and free speech and freedom of religion is alive and well for all Americans,” Kennedy said as he appeared on The Ingraham Angle earlier this week.
The coach previously coached at Bremerton for seven years and led the prayers without the school district’s knowledge. After the district found out, Kennedy was warned that he could only pray alone before the games, as reported by The Dallas Express. He complied for about a month before resuming his original practice as people rushed onto the field to join him.
He was warned again yet continued for the next two games, and the district placed him on leave before deciding not to renew his contract.
The issue sparked outrage and debate nationwide as schools had to address “forced” spiritual and religious practices involving their students.
Kennedy’s case went to the Supreme Court after he filed a suit for violating his rights under the First Amendment and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
His lawyers argued his “private prayer” was protected under the First Amendment. The school district claimed his actions “pressured students to pray” and “caused a safety issue” because many spectators and students were knocked down as people rushed the field to join Kennedy in prayer.
The Supreme Court sided with Kennedy in a 6-3 decision, ruling that the First Amendment’s Free Exercise and Free Speech Clauses protected his actions.
Bremerton begins its season against Mount Douglass Secondary School at 6:30 p.m. PT (8:30 CT) on Friday, and Kennedy told Fox News he plans to take a knee and pray after the game.
