Former high school football coach Joseph Kennedy has reached a $1.7 million settlement with the Bremerton School District in Washington State after being dismissed for leading prayers with his players. The district agreed to pay Kennedy $1,775,000 in compensation and awarded him a $5,304 stipend for serving as an assistant coach in the 2023 football season. Additionally, Kennedy has been granted permission to return to Bremerton High School as an assistant coach.
Following nearly eight years of legal battles, both parties are eager to move forward and focus on providing the best education for students. The settlement comes after a June 2022 Supreme Court ruling in Kennedy’s favor, affirming his constitutional right to kneel and pray with student-athletes on the field after games.
Kennedy expressed relief and gratitude for the ruling, feeling vindicated by the decision. He began praying alone on the field in 2008, and his players eventually joined him. Despite facing concerns from some athletes in 2015, Kennedy continued to pray on the field, leading to his placement on paid leave and subsequent non-rehire for the following season.
Despite setbacks, Kennedy persevered in his fight for the right to pray with his players, culminating in the Supreme Court’s decision and the subsequent settlement with the Bremerton School District.
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