Joe Kennedy has returned to Bremerton's football team, but unknowns still exist

It might be the most highly-anticipated Bremerton High School football game in years, but the Knights' Week 1 matchup against British Columbia's Mount Douglas Secondary School on Sept. 1 isn't attracting regional and national media attention because of the football.

Most of the intrigue involves assistant coach Joe Kennedy and what he plans to do after the game is over.

When will he pray? How will he pray? What will he say?

That moment — however brief it may be — is a moment over a year in the making, ever since the Supreme Court in June 2022 sided with Kennedy in his fight against Bremerton School District to be allowed to pray on the field after games.

The last time Kennedy appeared as a Bremerton football coach was during the 2015 season, at which time Bremerton School District warned Kennedy about praying on the field in the presence of student-athletes. Kennedy initially abided by a prayer ban, but ultimately changed course.

During a home game at Bremerton Memorial Stadium on Oct. 16, 2015, Kennedy openly prayed at the 50-yard line while surrounded by numerous players from the opposing team. Two weeks later, Bremerton School District placed Kennedy on administrative leave, and he was ultimately not rehired.

A lengthy legal battle ensued. The U.S Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit in 2021 ruling that Kennedy was acting as a public employee when he prayed, so his actions were not under the protection of the First Amendment. The Supreme Court disagreed, ruling 6-3 in favor of Kennedy while asserting his prayers were separate from his official duties as a coach and employee.

The Supreme Court's decision paved the way for Kennedy to return to Bremerton's staff, but his return hasn't been seamless. For months, attorneys representing both Kennedy and the district haggled over details, such as attorney fees. Bremerton School District eventually agreed to pay $1,775,000 to Kennedy's lawyers over the course of three years.

Another matter that delayed Kennedy's return centered on what exactly his roles would be on Bremerton's team. He's been out of coaching for eight years, and the Knights' staff looks quite different than it did in 2015. Only one assistant, Walt Brown, was on the team when Kennedy was last on the sidelines.

Bremerton head coach Paul Theraiult said Kennedy, who now lives in Florida, joined the team for its first preseason practice on Wednesday. Moving forward, Kennedy will help coach running backs and defensive linemen while trying to familiarize himself with the Knights' offense and defense. Although Bremerton's varsity and junior varsity players typically practice together during the season, Theriault said Kennedy would primarily work with the JV team when the units are split.

With the Knights' season-opener approaching, the potential fervor accompanying Kennedy's return is something not lost on Bremerton School District. There are guidelines in place restricting field access at the stadium for anyone other than coaches, athletes and school personnel during events, and the district is planning for additional security/administrators as well as an increased presence from local law enforcement at the Sept. 1 opener.

Spokesperson Karen Bevers said the district "remains steadfast in its commitment to respecting the rights and religious freedom of students, families, and school staff, and to keeping football games, and all school events, safe for the students we serve. We look forward to moving past the distraction of this nearly 8-year legal battle so that our school community can focus on what matters most: providing our children the best education possible. We are excited about a great football season."

It remains to be seen how Kennedy's second stint at Bremerton will go: will he last the entire season? Is he interested in coaching multiple seasons? Is this more of a one-and-done scenario?

Even his Sept. 1 return and anticipated post-game prayer are unknowns at this point. Bremerton School District policy states that an employee is allowed a personal moment, such as a brief, private prayer, while on duty, but there are also procedures in place to guide employees on such conduct. In the past, Kennedy typically prayed at midfield after going through the handshake line after the final whistle.

How Kennedy opts to pray after the Sept. 1 contest remains to be seen, but one thing seems clear at this point: Kennedy is no longer just an assistant football coach returning to former employer. He's become a public speaker on the national stage and expects to have a new book, "Average Joe: The Coach Joe Kennedy Story," released in October. A publicist for Kennedy said a movie about his life, "Average Joe," is also currently in production.

Nope, this won't be your average high school football game. Far from it.

This article originally appeared on Kitsap Sun: Kennedy back with Bremerton's football team, but unknowns still exist