Coach Joe Kennedy has been placed on paid administrative leave.
The Bremerton High School football coach in the state of Washington has come under fire for praying after games. The school district plans to pay him through the remainder of his contract but he will not be allowed to participate in the football program.
For the past few years, he would go to the 50-yard line of the field after the crowds left the stands, to give thanks to God. A few students started joining him, of their own free will, and that’s when the school board stepped in.
In a statement released Wednesday, the officials said:
“The District cannot not allow an employee, while still on duty, to engage in religious conduct or display that any observer, aware of the context, would perceive as District endorsement of religion”.
The statement also acknowledged that no one griped about it:
“The District cannot allow student’s rights to be violated simply because none of them complain”.
Liberty Institute, a group that defends religious liberty around the country, has defended the coach, insisting it is his constitutional right to pray. Now they are considering a lawsuit.
“What they’re doing is a violation of the constitution if they are going to ban private, personal prayers,” said Senior Counsel Michael Berry.
Coach Kennedy has received an outpouring of support from thousands of people from around the country. A Facebook page was made, and Franklin Graham, the son of Billy Graham gave Kennedy words of encouragement.
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