by Jorge Gomez • 5 min read
As Coach Joe Kennedy’s case heads to the U.S. Supreme Court, more Americans are coming together and cheering him on in the fight to reclaim his constitutional rights.
Today, we’re happy to announce that our friends at Alliance Defending Freedom recently filed a friend-of-the-court brief at the nation’s highest court supporting Coach Kennedy on behalf of several football stars. Here’s a rundown of who’s on that list:
What do all these current and former NFL greats have in common? Each of them attended and played football for at least one public high school or university before turning pro. Also, they all, at one point in their career, lived out their faith by praying on the field—just as Coach Kennedy did.
As the brief points out, each of them:
“Voluntarily exercised his constitutional right to pray before, during, and after games in which he competed on behalf of such schools—at times alone, at times with other players, and at times with coaches. Each…thus has firsthand experience with the environment in which this case arose. And each amicus can testify firsthand to the power of prayer—in generating gratitude for the opportunity to play, promoting high ideals of sportsmanship, protecting the safety of those who take the field, bridging personal, political, and racial divides among players, and ultimately in glorifying God.”
They also express robust support for the protection of Coach Kennedy’s constitutional rights, stating:
“…There is no question that Coach Kennedy’s prayers fall on the private side of the public-private line. Accordingly, those prayers are protected, not prohibited, by the First Amendment.”
Those latest additions are impressive, but they aren’t the only ones rallying in support. Joining Coach Kennedy’s All-Star team is a diverse coalition of prominent leaders, national organizations and allies who’ve also submitted friend-of-the-court briefs:
This incredible outpouring of support for Coach Joe underscores that this is a critical case for religious freedom in America. Winning at the Supreme Court would allow Coach Joe to return to the game he loves, while freely living out his faith. And a victory for him could also set a precedent to reclaim religious freedom for coaches, teachers, public school employee and all Americans—on and off the field.
Now that it’s First and Goal, First Liberty needs YOU.
Please donate to First Liberty today. Together, we can score a victory that ensures great people of faith like Coach Kennedy won’t be silenced, canceled or fired for living out their faith.