BREMERTON, Wash. — Fresh off his Supreme Court victory, Bremerton High School’s former assistant football coach could be back on the sidelines in just a few months.
Eight years ago, Joe Kennedy was let go following the 2015 football season after going against warnings from the Bremerton School District and praying with students at the 50-yard line following games.
Last June, the Supreme Court ruled in his favor, saying that those prayers were a private matter.
Now, Kennedy must be reinstated to his previous position on or before March 15, 2023, according to a court order filed in U.S. District Court in Tacoma on Tuesday.
He is also entitled to reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs.
The school district has been ordered not to “interfere with or prohibit Kennedy from offering a prayer” and must adapt its policies to allow for post-game prayers.
According to District Court documents, the wording related to the Supreme Court’s opinion has been disputed between Kennedy and the district.
The two parties have been ordered to file a joint submission on the wording of the final order for the case by Nov. 8.