Supreme Court: Coach Prayer Wins in Football Case

For Immediate Release

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Supreme Court: Coach Prayer Wins in Football Case

Washington, D.C. – June 27, 2022 Today, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld First Amendment rights in the Kennedy v. Bremerton School District case regarding Coach Joseph Kennedy’s free exercise of religion. Coach Kennedy was fired from a public school in Washington State after he exercised his religious freedom by praying briefly at the 50-yard line. In March, Texas Values, along with Family Policy Alliance and other state family policy councils, filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court in support of Coach Kennedy.

Jonathan Saenz, President and attorney for Texas Values released the following statement:

“This court decision in favor of Coach Kennedy is a touchdown for prayer and the First Amendment, one that Texans will appreciate in a state where football is king. No coach should be fired for a voluntary prayer.”

Kennedy began saying a brief prayer following games years ago. Initially, he did so alone, but some students asked him what he was doing. When they asked if they could join, he responded,

“This is a free country,” and “You can do what you want.” Some students joined in on the prayers; other days he prayed alone. Kennedy’s prayers went apparently unnoticed by school officials for seven years. The school demanded he stop. When he refused, the school fired him. Texas Values celebrates the Court’s decision in upholding First Amendment speech and religious rights, a precious foundational and constitutional right.

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About Texas Values 

Texas Values is the largest statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to standing for faith, family, and freedom in Texas. We are the leading state-based religious freedom organization in Texas and have led the effort to pass a state religious freedom law in the past four state legislative sessions. More information is available at txvalues.org.