Many individuals have in all probability heard in regards to the praying soccer coach from the state of Washington who went all the best way to the USA Supreme Courtroom to defend his proper to take a knee on the sector. However not everybody is aware of who Joe Kennedy actually is.
Now, with Nice American Pure Flix partnering with Pinnacle Peak Footage to carry his story to the large display, we thought you’d wish to study extra in regards to the “Common Joe” who fought a prolonged courtroom battle to assist defend the non secular freedom of all Individuals.
Joe Kennedy’s Early Life
Joe Kennedy was adopted as a younger youngster, however his adoption story wasn’t with out its challenges. He by no means actually felt like he slot in or belonged, acquired into a variety of hassle, and was finally launched again into the foster care system. When he was 13, he was despatched to Flying H Youth Ranch for troubled boys, a Christian-based residential camp in Washington state. And whereas this system began to make a optimistic distinction in his life, he nonetheless felt misplaced and finally “ended up getting proper again into hassle.”
After graduating highschool, Kennedy discovered himself on his personal with no actual route in his life, so he determined to hitch the Marines. That call was precisely what he wanted in a variety of methods—instructing him invaluable rules like psychological and bodily toughness, teamwork, management, and self-discipline over the course of his almost 20-year profession within the navy. However the horrors of struggle additionally dispelled any notion of religion he could have held on the time.
“I didn’t imagine in something,” he stated in a 2022 interview. “If there was a God, this wouldn’t occur, seeing your folks die.”
That slowly started to alter after he married his spouse, Denise. The couple knew one another as youngsters and reconnected in 2012. Denise commonly attended church and Kennedy reluctantly tagged alongside to set an excellent instance for his or her 4 youngsters. After a number of months, God met him there in a strong approach.
“The beauty of God is that His timing is completely excellent. I met with my childhood sweetheart, we acquired married and I used to be failing miserably, and I wanted one thing to alter,” he stated. “I made a take care of God. I stated, ‘Should you give me my spouse, I’ll give me my life,’ and that is the best way it began out. I am dwelling for Him now.”
How Joe Turned Coach Kennedy
Not lengthy after Kennedy grew to become a Christian, he agreed to hitch the Bremerton Excessive College soccer employees as an assistant coach. He had been watching the Kendrick Brothers film, “Dealing with the Giants,” and felt known as to be a optimistic instance within the lives of the younger males. A part of that, was praying by himself at midfield after each recreation to provide due to God. This custom continued for seven seasons, and a few college students even joined in… till somebody complained.
What began as a easy option to honor God quickly grew to become a neighborhood—after which nationwide—controversy that surrounded the neighborhood. Finally, Coach Kennedy misplaced his job after the varsity district was pressured to silence him over fears about scholar involvement. To Kennedy, it was surprising realization of how diminished non secular freedom in American had develop into.
“I fought [as a Marine] to defend the Structure of the USA, and that truly means one thing to me,” he defined. “I’ve seen the best way the remainder of the world is, and America is so superior. And if we’re dropping our God-given rights right here in America, man, there’s no hope. So, I used to be like, ‘hey, though I’m not on lively obligation anymore, guess what? I can nonetheless combat for our Structure and rise up for what’s proper.’”
The Courtroom Battle
Kennedy selected The First Liberty Institute to symbolize him, which filed the preliminary lawsuit difficult the varsity district’s coverage in 2016. What the previous coach hoped could be a cut-and-dry case about upholding his God-given rights, quickly changed into a prolonged authorized battle that performed out in numerous courts—together with the courtroom of public opinion due to the media circus that surrounded the difficulty.
“I’m not a holier-than-thou individual. I’m a prepare wreck similar to everybody else,” he stated. “This complete grandstanding present factor was introduced on by the media, that I didn’t really need. I didn’t need it to be a giant present. How do you cease that snowball or tidal wave that got here up?”
And the authorized battle took its toll on Joe in additional methods than one. For one factor, his spouse, Denise, labored for the varsity district as the pinnacle of human assets, and she or he was caught within the center. Finally, that triggered emotions of bitterness that threatened to finish the couple’s marriage.
“I used to be so offended at him. I spent a variety of time being offended as a result of I didn’t perceive his intention. I questioned his intention,” Denise recalled. “I misplaced buddies over this. And people individuals I labored with for 15 years, and I cherished them.”
In the end, what turned issues spherical for the couple was an encouraging video message from Alex Kendrick, who directed and starred in “Dealing with the Giants,” the film that impressed Joe to begin teaching soccer.
“We simply sat there with our arms round one another, watching the video and crying,” Joe recalled. “We didn’t must say a single phrase. It was like she immediately knew that this was a God factor. God was in command of this.”
The U.S. Supreme Courtroom’s Choice & Joe’s Return to the Discipline
In June 2022, after almost eight years of combating, the Supreme Courtroom dominated 6-3 in Kennedy’s favor, upholding his proper to hope. The choice legally solidified the constitutional rights of all public-school staff “to interact in a short, private prayer in public.”
The Courtroom additionally ordered that Kennedy be reinstated to his place as assistant coach for the Bremerton Excessive College varsity soccer group and he returned to the sector on September 1, 2023.
“The one factor I requested for is to be a coach and to have the ability to pray after a soccer recreation. And I’ve been ready eight years for that second and that’s Friday,” he stated on the time. “After that, I’m certain God will give me some type of perception into what’s subsequent, however I’m leaving that on His plate as a substitute of mine.”
Simply days later, Coach Kennedy resigned his place as assistant coach, nevertheless it was hardly the top of his story.
“I imagine I can greatest proceed to advocate for constitutional freedom and non secular liberty by working from outdoors the varsity system so that’s what I’ll do,” he introduced on the time. “I’ll proceed to work to assist individuals perceive and embrace the historic ruling on the coronary heart of our case. On account of our case, all of us have extra freedom, not much less. That ought to be celebrated and never disrespected.”
“Common Joe” Hits Theaters October 11
Pure Flix is partnering with Pinnacle Peak Footage to carry Kennedy’s story to the large display within the new movie “Common Joe.” The movie opens in theaters October 11 as a Fathom Occasion and is certain to encourage and encourage you.
“Common Joe” will solely be in theaters for a restricted time as a Fathom occasion so get your tickets at the moment!
