Judges Rule Football Coaches Cannot Pray on Football Field

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The U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Wednesday that a Washington state high school football coach violated the U.S. Constitution by praying at the 50-yard line after football games.

The court wrote in its decision that Coach Joe Kennedy silently prayed “In view of students and parents, he spoke as a public employee, not as a private citizen, and his speech therefore was constitutionally unprotected.”

Kennedy was suspended in 2015 when he defied school officials and continued his post-game prayer.

Later, they did not renew his contract.

Attorney Jeremy Dys, with the First Liberty Institute said, “The 9th Circuit believes they can ban all coaches from praying individually in public just because they can be seen. That is simply wrong.”

First Liberty said they have not yet decided whether to appeal the ruling.

Corrie O'Connor