No. 21-418October Term 2021Decided Jun 27, 2022
Docket 21-418October Term 2021 (2021–2022)
Kennedy v. Bremerton School Dist.
A high school football coach was disciplined by his school district for praying at midfield after games.
Case status
- Current stage
- Decided
- Latest event
- Decision released Jun 27, 2022
Case AcceptedJan 14, 2022
Arguments HeardApr 25, 2022
Decision ReleasedJun 27, 2022
- What it's about
A high school football coach was disciplined by his school district for praying at midfield after games. The Supreme Court ruled that the school's actions violated the coach's First Amendment rights to free speech and free exercise of religion.
Question presented
Is a public school employee’s prayer during school sports activities protected speech, and if so, can the public school employer prohibit it to avoid violating the Establishment Clause?
- Case path
United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit / Decision released Jun 27, 2022
- Area
First Amendment
Related cases
Grounding
- Grounding
- Primary-source trail available.
- Note
- Plain-English explainer. Official filings and opinions remain authoritative.
- Checked
- Mar 31, 2026
- Method
- Methodology