Coach Joe Kennedy still looks back with bewilderment at how a 30-second post-game prayer sparked a cultural battle that ultimately led to a Supreme Court case. Kennedy won the case, winning support from many critics and inspiring countless Christians around the world. Still, Kennedy marvels that his act of defiance — praying after being told to stop — changed America's legal system.
“It was a very simple thing,” Kennedy told Crosswalk Headlines.[Prayer has] It's something that's been going on since ancient times.”
He said he had no interest in stirring up controversy, but “God had other plans.”
On October 11th, a movie depicting Kennedy's legal battles was released.Average Joeis coming to theaters. Based on the book of the same name, it follows Kennedy, a principled man who spent time in foster care and 20 years in the Marines before preparing for the legal battle that ultimately cost him his job as an assistant coach for the Bremerton High School football team in Washington state.
Contrary to popular belief, Kennedy had a lot of support in the community, not just from parents but also within the team, but his critics were loud and powerful.
Kennedy began his coaching career after watching a faith-based football film in 2006. Confronting the Giants The film was directed by Alex and Stephen Kendrick. The movie inspired him to pray. From that moment on, he made a “contract with God” to give glory to God after every game, win or lose.
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