Praying Coach Joe Kennedy’s Story Hitting Theaters in New Movie
By Movieguide® Contributor
The story of Joe Kennedy, a high school football coach who was fired for praying on the field following games, will be coming to the big screen.
“The assistant football coach was removed from his position in 2015 after silently praying at midfield following the conclusion of his games,” Movieguide® reported. “Although Kennedy never asked or required students to join him, the school fired him over fears that allowing him to openly pray around students would have been seen as a government endorsement of religion.”
After six years of legal battles, Kennedy’s case reached the Supreme Court. Following a 6-3 ruling in the coach’s favor, he was reinstated to his position last year.
Movieguide® reported:
“After enduring an 8-year fight to publicly pray after games, a Supreme Court decision put Bremerton Assistant Football Coach Joe Kennedy back on the sidelines. That ruling meant that he could exercise his First Amendment right to pray,” David Brody with CBN News reported.
After the game, Kennedy prayed at the 50-yard line.
“I said ‘Thank you’ probably 30 times,” he expressed, according to CBN. “I had no other words. What do you say to the One who got me here to begin with?”
“What we asked for from the Supreme Court and all the courts was just to be able to be a coach, and to be able to pray after a football game,” Kennedy added. “What an awesome way to come back after an eight-year battle.”
“I fought to defend the Constitution of the United States, and that actually means something to me,” Kennedy told Kirk Cameron, recalling his time serving as a Marine and why he decided to take the legal battle to the Supreme Court. “I’ve seen the way the rest of the world is, and America is so awesome. And if we are losing our God-given rights here in America, man, there’s no hope. So I was like, hey, even though I’m not on active duty anymore, guess what? I can still fight for our Constitution and stand up for what’s right.”
Now, GND Media Group and Fathom have announced AVERAGE JOE, a film based on Kennedy’s story.
A synopsis of the film reads:
High school football coach Joe Kennedy had no other choice but to fight. A childhood in foster care followed by 20 years in the Marine Corps was nothing compared to his biggest battle: his commitment to stand for God publicly by taking a knee in prayer after each game. When he was fired, Joe and his wife Denise knew this battle for religious freedom, freedom of speech, and the rights of all Americans was one they would have to fight—no matter the cost.
The film will star Eric Close (NASHVILLE) and Amy Acker (ORDINARY ANGELS) and be directed by Harold Cronk (GOD’S NOT DEAD).
It will hit theaters Oct. 10. Check out the teaser trailer here:
