Kennedy departs Bremerton football program after one game
Joe Kennedy's return to coaching within Bremerton High School's football program didn't last long.
Bremerton School District spokesperson Karen Bevers confirmed Wednesday morning that he'll no longer continue as an assistant coach with the Knights.
"The District has received Mr. Kennedy's resignation and it is pending board approval at tomorrow's regularly scheduled meeting," Bevers said. "The District does not comment on personnel matters so we will not be issuing any further statements."
In a statement provided by Kennedy's publicist, Jennifer Willingham, he confirmed his resignation and cited multiple reasons, including the need to care for an ailing family member who lives outside Washington.
"I believe I can best continue to advocate for constitutional freedom and religious liberty by working from outside the school system so that is what I will do. I will continue to work to help people understand and embrace the historic ruling at the heart of the case. As a result of our case, we all have more freedom, not less. That should be celebrated and respected and not disrespected," Kennedy said in the statement.
When asked about Kennedy's resignation, Bremerton head football coach Paul Theriault directed inquiries to Bevers.
Kennedy lost his coaching job in 2015 following a battle with Bremerton School District over a dispute that centered around Kennedy's practice of praying at midfield immediately after games, at times including players. He took his case all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. The Supreme Court then in 2022 ordered that he could return to coaching at Bremerton High. Kennedy rejoined the football team as an assistant coach for its first preseason practice Aug. 16 and took the sidelines for the Knights' first game Sept. 1 against Mount Douglas Secondary School. Bremerton won, 27-12.
Following Bremerton's victory, Kennedy prayed at midfield by himself.
"I said 'thank you' probably 30 times," Kennedy said. "I had no other words."
During interviews with media members after the game, Kennedy said he wasn't sure how long he'd continue to coach.
"That's what I'm leaving up to God. We haven't even talked about it," said Kennedy, standing next to his wife, Denise. "Tonight was the milestone and where we wanted to get to. We fought eight years. What we asked for from the Supreme Court and all the courts was just to be able to be a coach and be able to pray after a football game. Both of those were accomplished and I've gotten what I asked for. Anything beyond that is just a plus and we're going to let God direct us and our family direct us."
As part of the Kennedy's Supreme Court settlement, Bremerton School District reached an agreement to pay Kennedy's attorneys a sum of $1,775,000. The agreement was approved by the school board in March and the fees will be paid over the course of three fiscal years. According the district's website, the "extent of insurance coverage is the subject of continuing discussions between the school district and its insurers."
As his case became nationally known, Kennedy, who had earlier moved away from Bremerton to Florida, become a public speaker on the national stage. He 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.
This article originally appeared on Kitsap Sun: Kennedy departs Bremerton football program after one game
