Coach Joe Kennedy on Faith, Freedom, and the Fight for Religious Liberty

In 2022, Coach Joe Kennedy, a former Marine and high school football coach, stood on the 50-yard line in quiet prayer. Little did he know this small act would ignite a national debate. Fired for praying after games, Kennedy faced years of legal battles. Last week, at Fellowship Church in Texas, he shared his thoughts about the ordeal with The Christian Post.

“I never wanted this,” Kennedy admitted. A man who didn’t seek the spotlight, Kennedy nonetheless found himself at the center of a Supreme Court ruling. The Court’s decision in his favor upheld his right to pray on the field, a moment he saw as divine intervention. “God uses the least likely,” he said, reflecting on how his fight had become a symbol for religious freedom.

In 2015, after losing in lower courts seven times, Kennedy’s case reached the highest court in the land. The ruling overturned a previous precedent, the Lemon Test, which had restricted government involvement with religion. “If He can use me, imagine what He can do through others,” Kennedy told the audience, challenging them to consider their role in preserving religious liberties.

However, the battle took a toll. Kennedy spoke candidly about the strain on his marriage and faith. His wife, working as an HR director for the same school district that fired him, was caught in the crossfire. “I didn’t even have her on my side,” Kennedy said, his voice steady but reflective.

Kennedy didn’t shy away from acknowledging the unusual opposition he faced. He recalled how a local Satanic group protested his prayers, but he saw the power of faith push back. “Students shouted ‘Jesus, Jesus!’ It was incredible,” he said, still amazed by the support.

Despite his victory, Kennedy remains wary of the future. He fears for religious liberty in America, describing the experience as a stark reminder of how fragile those rights can be. “I’m scared,” he admitted, “If that doesn’t scare you, I don’t know what will.”

For Kennedy, the fight wasn’t about winning but staying faithful. He closed his talk by quoting Scripture, reminding everyone, “We are not called to win the fight, but to fight the good fight.” His painful and grueling journey has only deepened his belief in standing for what he holds true.