Washington HS Football Coach Placed on Paid Leave After Praying on Field

Joe Kennedy, an assistant football coach at Bremerton High School in Bremerton, Washington, was placed on paid administrative leave by the school district Wednesday for leading members of the team in prayers following games.

Q13 Fox News passed along the official announcement from the Bremerton School District about the decision, which came after it warned Kennedy about the potential consequences for violating the separation of church and state. The statement included further details:

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This afternoon, the Bremerton School District informed Bremerton High School assistant football coach Joe Kennedy that he has been placed on paid administrative leave.

This action was necessitated by Kennedy's refusal to comply with the District's lawful and constitutionally-required directives that he refrain from engaging in overt, public religious displays on the football field while on duty as a coach.

While the District appreciates Kennedy's many positive contributions to the BHS football program, and therefore regrets the necessity of this action, Kennedy's conduct poses a genuine risk that the District will be liable for violating the federal and state constitutional rights of students or others. For this reason, Kennedy will not be allowed to further violate the District's directives.

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The report also provided comments Kennedy posted on his personal Facebook page: "Bremerton Knights vs. Sequim Wolves!! Winner goes to the playoffs!! Forget me and come support these incredible young men who will be battling on the field!! My heart and mind will be with them!! Put aside everything else and enjoy their Senior Knight! Go Knights!!!"

Erik Lacitis of the Seattle Times reported Kennedy first started the practice of prayer sessions as an individual act in 2008. Over time, members of the team, along with other members of the coaching staff and fans, have joined him.

Kennedy directed questions about the situation to Mike Berry, senior counsel at the Liberty Institute in Plano, Texas. Berry stated they are considering all of their options for the next step to take following the school's announcement, according to the Seattle Times.

"We're prepared to take the necessary legal actions to defend Coach Kennedy's religious freedom," Berry said. "His religious expression is not something he should hide or be ashamed of."

Samuel Smith of the Christian Post noted 47 members of Congress signed a letter sent to the school district supporting the assistant coach's "constitutionally guaranteed right" to pray. Smith also wrote that Washington State Education Superintendent Randy Dorn supported the school's decision.

Kennedy is still free to attend the game and any other public events held by the school district while on administrative leave. That said, the district's statement said he can't take part in football activities unless he "affirms his intention to comply with the District's directives."

Kennedy told Q13 Fox News he hadn't decided whether to attend Friday's game.