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Five teenage and young adult american football players celebrating with shoulder carry

Source: Pete Saloutos / Getty

A Bremerton high school coach defied district orders to stop praying following football games.

Bremerton High assistant coach Joe Kennedy knelt on the 50-yard line and led a group of players, including players from the other team, in prayer.

District Superintendent Aaron Leavell says that Kennedy’s long-standing practice of praying after games conflicts with the constitutional mandate for separation of church and state. Staff must refrain from religious expression while on duty.

Kennedy’s attorneys maintain that the district has no right to ban the coach from personally praying and that he doesn’t encourage or discourage students from participating.