Joseph Kennedy, who gained a Supreme Courtroom battle for the best to return to the sidelines as a soccer coach, resigned from his place on Wednesday. The stunning transfer comes simply days after he assumed a training function within the district the place he had beforehand been fired.
In recent times, Kennedy has been on the middle of nationwide consideration after claiming that he was terminated from his function as a soccer coach at Bremerton Excessive Faculty (Wash.) for his refusal to cease praying at midfield following video games.
After a Supreme Courtroom ruling final summer season that paved the way in which for his return to educate, Kennedy was as soon as once more on the sidelines this previous weekend as an assistant coach at Bremerton. And, following the sport, Kennedy knelt in prayer by himself in the midst of the sector.
In an announcement obtained by the USA TODAY Community, Kennedy defined why he’s leaving his teaching job simply days after his return to the sidelines:
“I consider I can greatest proceed to advocate for constitutional freedom and non secular liberty by working from exterior the varsity system so that’s what I’ll do,” Kennedy mentioned within the assertion.
“I’ll proceed to work to assist folks perceive and embrace the historic ruling on the coronary heart of the case. On account of our case, all of us have extra freedom, not much less. That ought to be celebrated and revered and never disrespected.”
On Friday, Bremerton beat Mount Douglas 27-12 of their season opener.
At problem within the firing was whether or not Kennedy’s function as a soccer coach led gamers on the public college to really feel pressured into collaborating in a non secular exercise on the public college. Gamers generally joined Kennedy to hope, though he claims in his courtroom case that participation was voluntary and by no means was pressured.
Supreme Courtroom Justice Neil Gorsuch, in writing the opinion of the courtroom final June, said that Kennedy’s prayers following the sport didn’t warrant termination:
“That Mr. Kennedy supplied his prayers when college students had been engaged in different actions like singing the varsity combat tune additional means that these prayers weren’t delivered as an tackle to the group, however as an alternative in his capability as a personal citizen.”