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June 29, 2022

Anna Murray 

The United States Supreme Court ruled that a former Bremerton high school football coach who prayed on the field with his players and other students was within his First Amendment rights to free speech and free exercise of religion. The Supreme Court ruled on June 27 in favor of a Washington State football coach who had been suspended for his on-field prayers after games.

The religious liberty case was filed by Joseph Kennedy, a high school assistant football coach who was placed on administrative leave by the Bremerton School District in 2015 after refusing to stop personal displays of prayer visibly at the 50-yard line after his team's games. The Supreme Court ruled that the school system's attempt to prevent the coach from publicly praying on the field violated his religious freedom and free speech rights.

The Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), which oversees public schools, has stated that it and local school districts will continue to investigate complaints of school officials who use their position to compel religious participation. Coercion, pressure, persuasion, or forcing students, players, staff, or other participants to engage in any religious practice in exchange for playing, employment, belonging, or participation is still illegal and unethical. The ruling confirms, according to OSPI, that school employees can engage in individual prayer as long as it is not part of their official responsibilities and there is no expectation that others will join them.