Average Joe

The football coach who fought all the way to Supreme Court for his right to pray shares his inspiring story of courage, redemption, and grace.

When Coach Joe Kennedy started offering a prayer on the field after each high school football game, the school district tried to shut him down, launching a seven-year legal battle that went to the Supreme Court--twice. In June 2022, he won.

Joseph (Joe) Kennedy was adopted as an infant and later practically abandoned by his adoptive parents. He spent time at a state-run boys' home where he first connected with God, but he still felt like an outsider most of his years--until the U.S. Marine Corps gave him a purpose. After serving for eighteen years, Kennedy's military career ended with an IED blast in the Middle East.

Married to his childhood crush, Denise, Kennedy is the father of four, including two sons who have also served in the Marines.

Kennedy will be reinstated at Bremerton High School in August 2023. He considers his seven-year long battle for his constitutional right to pray where he chooses to be the greatest fight of his life; he now speaks nationwide about his love of country and simple faith in God.