High school football coach scores big win at Supreme Court over post-game prayer

[MaddogLutheran]

Now if we can only have PRIDE^TM declared a religion and our young people can no longer be forced to participate in school sponsored PRIDE rituals.

This is long overdue.  Under D.I.E. principles, we are supposed to recognize and respect other religions and cultures.   

[Michael Slusser]

Has anyone seen whether Bremerton's Head Coach has been forced to rehire Assistant Coach Kennedy, who was on yearly term contract?

Peace,
Michael

[David Garner]

Has anyone seen whether Bremerton's Head Coach has been forced to rehire Assistant Coach Kennedy, who was on yearly term contract?

Peace,
Michael

He wouldn't have been required to yet in any event. However, the Supreme Court granted summary judgment for Kennedy. If part of the relief requested and decided today was reinstatement, the District will have to rehire him.

I was unable to find a copy of the Complaint or briefs before the District Court, so I don't know if that is part of the relief requested. 

[peter_speckhard]

Has anyone seen whether Bremerton's Head Coach has been forced to rehire Assistant Coach Kennedy, who was on yearly term contract?

Peace,
Michael

He wouldn't have been required to yet in any event. However, the Supreme Court granted summary judgment for Kennedy. If part of the relief requested and decided today was reinstatement, the District will have to rehire him.

I was unable to find a copy of the Complaint or briefs before the District Court, so I don't know if that is part of the relief requested.

I would think some sort of monetary settlement and acknowledgment of wrong would serve everyone better than just giving him his old job back. Imagine the distractions. And who would want to work with someone they just spent years fighting against in court?   

[David Garner]

Has anyone seen whether Bremerton's Head Coach has been forced to rehire Assistant Coach Kennedy, who was on yearly term contract?

Peace,
Michael

He wouldn't have been required to yet in any event. However, the Supreme Court granted summary judgment for Kennedy. If part of the relief requested and decided today was reinstatement, the District will have to rehire him.

I was unable to find a copy of the Complaint or briefs before the District Court, so I don't know if that is part of the relief requested.

I would think some sort of monetary settlement and acknowledgment of wrong would serve everyone better than just giving him his old job back. Imagine the distractions. And who would want to work with someone they just spent years fighting against in court?

That's probably what will happen.

[Charles Austin]

Of course, you Missouri Synod guys would have to make sure that none of your students pray with this coach on the 50 yard line, because he might not be doctrinally pure by your standards.

[peter_speckhard]

Of course, you Missouri Synod guys would have to make sure that none of your students pray with this coach on the 50 yard line, because he might not be doctrinally pure by your standards.

Actually, I doubt there is a Missouri Synod guy in this forum who has warned his young members about football team prayers. Even the Wisconsin Synod people I know, such as the school that is in our athletic conference, simply instructs people to stand respectfully while others are praying if they aren't going to join in the prayer. Not a big deal.

Did you ever see the movie Hoosiers? If not, you should. Feel good movie that might perk you up.

[James_Gale]

Has anyone seen whether Bremerton's Head Coach has been forced to rehire Assistant Coach Kennedy, who was on yearly term contract?

Peace,
Michael

According to this linked report, it's unclear whether Kennedy will be back on Bremerton's sidelines.  Given the passage of time, a financial settlement might be as likely as anything. 

[Michael Slusser]

Has anyone seen whether Bremerton's Head Coach has been forced to rehire Assistant Coach Kennedy, who was on yearly term contract?

Peace,
Michael

According to this linked report, it's unclear whether Kennedy will be back on Bremerton's sidelines.  Given the passage of time, a financial settlement might be as likely as anything.

As you say, It's unclear in that article.
In the argument before the Court, if I remember aright, it was said that the Head Coach had declined to propose assistant coach Kennedy for a new contract. I don't know how many assistants the Bremerton boys team has, and whether this was the Coach's own decision for reasons that he wanted someone else, or he was urged to leave Kennedy off by pressure from school administrators.
The reason I ask is that assistant coaches are hired a year at a time, at the pleasure of the head coach (who does have a continual contractual relationship with the school district). If Kennedy is hired again, that would have to be the Court dictating to the head coach, not the school district, which I would find quite odd.

Peace,
Michael

[Donald_Kirchner]

BTW, I always have engaged periodically in prayers with Roman Catholics and other Christians. We're praying to the same God. Would I engage in a prayer with Brian? No. Jesus, in Who's name I pray, is not Brian's Jesus. Brian has proved that  hereon time and again.

[peter_speckhard]

If I had been the school, I would have simply argued that the field was school property and made a rule that all coaches and players must clear the field after the game. The coach does not own the 50 yard line, the school does. But then I would have to accept that the policy applied equally to religious and on-religious speech. You can't say a person is allowed to talk as long as he doesn't think he is talking to God.

[Jim Butler]

Of course, you Missouri Synod guys would have to make sure that none of your students pray with this coach on the 50 yard line, because he might not be doctrinally pure by your standards.

FWIW, the idea of prayer fellowship has been gone in the LCMS for decades; I'd say since the late 1940s and 50s. It is still present in the WELS and ELS--which is one of the differences we have with those two bodies.

[David Garner]

Father Michael, for what it's worth, this article popped up in my news feed today.  It seems Mr. Kennedy is in fact seeking reinstatement as a coach at Bremerton High School.

https://www.foxnews.com/media/praying-coach-won-supreme-court-case-wants-job-invocation-back?fbclid=IwAR21q_-B1FA4253E4kQd8Ob8s5hJYgNN-R_J7pdEYiYSHSwMaDldoTmj8kA