1.Topic: Praying on the field

2. Title: “HS Football Coach Placed on Administrative Leave for Praying on the Field”

3.Source: abc news

4.Summary:

The Washington State high school football coach who had been warned to end his on-field, post-game prayers has been placed on paid administrative leave for continuing the practice.

Joe Kennedy, head coach of junior varsity football and assistant coach of varsity football at Bremerton High School, has openly prayed on the football field after games since 2008, but school district administrators were just  recently informed of it.

Kennedy received a letter in September from Bremerton School District Superintendent Aaron Leavell demanding he keep religion off the field, but he continued to conduct the prayers, with some players joining in.

The district followed through on its threat Wednesday, saying in a news release that Kennedy has been put on paid administrative leave and will be paid throughout the remainder of his contract term, “unless his employment status is changed in the future.”

“This action was necessitated by Kennedy’s refusal to comply with the District’s lawful and constitutionally required directives that he refrain from engaging in overt, public religious displays on the football field while on duty as a coach,” the news release says..

The district said that although Kennedy’s contributions to the football program were appreciated, his practice “poses a genuine risk that the District will be liable for violating the federal and state constitutional rights of students or others.”

The news release also notes that Kennedy had been offered a private location to pray that didn’t interfere with the performance of his duties, but he declined the offer.

5.Reaction

• If I took a position on this issue: If I was a football player that didn’t have the same beliefs, or didn’t believe in praying, or it was against my religion I would simply walk away when they are having their pray time.
• I feel that this event is unnecessary the player/players that had a problem with it could have simply walked away or talked the coach about it instead of getting the whole school and community involved.
• This event doesn’t have a big effect one me.

6.World impact

This event impacts the world: I wouldn’t say that this event really had an impact on the world. It makes you think what you can and can’t do now a days without getting in trouble.