Joseph Kennedy, a former high school football coach, has reached a significant settlement of $1.7 million with the Bremerton School District in Washington State, after being dismissed for leading prayers with his players. Along with this compensation, Kennedy has been awarded a $5,304 stipend for his role as an assistant coach during the 2023 football season. The school has also given him the green light to return to Bremerton High School in this capacity.

The district expressed a desire to move forward, focusing on their core mission of delivering high-quality education to their students. After close to eight years of legal wrangling, the settlement brings closure to this chapter for both sides.

The Supreme Court played a key role in this outcome. In June 2022, the court ruled in Kennedy’s favor with a 6-3 vote, affirming his constitutional right to pray on the field with student-athletes after games.

Kennedy felt immense relief and gratitude following the decision, stating that he felt justified in his actions. His practice of praying started alone on the 50-yard line after games in 2008, eventually joined by his players. He also gave short inspirational speeches containing spiritual themes and led prayers in the locker room.

However, by 2015, some players voiced concerns to the school board, feeling pressured to participate in the prayers. Although Kennedy stopped praying in the locker room, he continued to pray on the field, which led to him being placed on paid leave and not being rehired due to policy violations.

Despite these challenges, Kennedy persevered in fighting for his right to pray with his players, a battle that culminated in the Supreme Court victory and the ensuing settlement with the school district.