“If I can make a difference, anyone can”: An interview with Coach Joe Kennedy

Average Joe, a new film from the director and producers of God’s Not Dead and the producers of The Blind, will open in theaters October 11. It stars Eric Close (American Sniper, Nashville) and tells the story of Coach Joe Kennedy, who was fired from his job as assistant coach for the Bremerton High School in Washington football team for briefly taking a knee after games to pray in the center of the football field.

After a seven-year legal battle, Kennedy’s case came to the U.S. Supreme Court in 2022, where he prevailed on a 6-3 vote and was reinstated to his coaching position.

Kennedy was a self-described “bad kid” as a boy, growing up in foster care and serving in the U.S. Marine Corps for 20 years. He was assistant coach a Bremerton High for eight years before being fired for praying publicly; the school district argued that it suggested a district endorsement of religious belief. Kennedy countered that the district violated his Constitutional rights; he was represented by the First Liberty Institute, a legal organization dedicated to defending religious liberty rights for Americans.

Producer Bob Katz wanted to make the film because it featured the story of “an extraordinarily important cause, freedom of speech and freedom of religion, which seem to be eroding away in our society.” He noted that Eric Close was selected as the main character because “He had a strong resume doing television and movies, had an extraordinarily good audition, and has a Christian heart. He did a fantastic job in the film.”

Katz noted that the film was the favorite of all the movies he’s made since he began filmmaking eleven years ago, and has been especially popular with test audiences. He encouraged audiences to see the film on its opening weekend, October 11-13. He noted, “I tell people if you want to see more quality faith-based films, to see it on opening weekend. The more people who turn out, the more successful the film and the easier it is to do the next one.”

The film was written by Stephanie Katz (The Blind), Bob’s daughter who is also the ghostwriter for Joe Kennedy’s memoir “Average Joe.”

The following is an interview with Coach Joe Kennedy about his life and the new film “Average Joe.”

CWR: When you talk about your life, you describe yourself as “a bad kid.”

Coach Joe Kennedy: I was a horrible kid. I was the product of an unwanted pregnancy, born into a family that didn’t want or need me. They kicked me out, and I wound up in foster homes and group homes. I got into a lot of fights, stole, and got kicked out of schools. In fact, I went to a total of twelve different schools growing up.

CWR: When did you embrace Christianity?

Kennedy: I started out as a Catholic, going to Catholic schools, until I got kicked out. I was a heathen and an atheist when I was in the Marine Corps, but after I left active service and married my wife Denise, I became a believing Christian.

CWR: Would you describe yourself as a non-denominational, Bible-believing Christian?

Kennedy: I suppose so. I’m still trying to figure it all out. I want to do what God wants me to do.

CWR: Your employer, the Bremerton School District, ordered you not to take a knee in prayer on the football field at the conclusion of games. They told you to pray alone inside, or on the field after everyone had gone home. You refused and were fired. Why did you refuse?

Kennedy: When they first told me to stop, I didn’t know what to do. I didn’t want to fight. We Christians are about peace and love. But I’m also a red-blooded Marine. I thought, “That’s not right. I should not have to choose between hiding my faith and losing my job.” I’m also a U.S. citizen. I’ve read my First Amendment rights. I can pray in public if I want to. I decided not to give in. Some things are worth fighting for.

CWR: You fought in the courts for seven years and lost some legal battles along the way. What kept you going?

Kennedy: I’m stubborn. It’s the way God made me. I also experienced turmoil as a kid, which transformed me into a warrior. I wasn’t going to back down, although sometimes I really wanted to. I thought, “Why me? Why all this over a 30-second prayer? Why is this so difficult?

It really put my faith to the test. I had to hang on to God for support; sometimes it felt I was hanging on for dear life! I kept having to return to my favorite bible verse for guidance: “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept my faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7. Notice it doesn’t say I have to win, but fight.

CWR: You won in the U.S. Supreme Court in 2022. How did you feel?

Kennedy: It was anti-climactic, as it had been such a long, drawn-out fight. I thought I should have won every time. Look at the facts, look at the Constitution. People should be allowed to pray in the public square.

Also, a tremendous weight was lifted off my shoulders. If I had lost the case, I felt as if I would have been responsible for taking away the religious liberty of all Americans. Thank God, the Court ruled in my favor.

CWR: You returned to Bremerton High School, but quit your job after one game.

Kennedy: I had every intention of staying, but the school made it difficult. I was told I could not step onto the field without a certification. I was allowed access only to certain parts of the school. I wasn’t given a locker in the coaches’ room. I was not invited to team dinners or breakfasts. At games, I was told not to talk to anyone on the team. After the first game, my wife and I talked and decided I’d quit and we’d move to Pensacola to care for my ailing father-in-law.

CWR: You believe you were persecuted by the school administration?

Kennedy: Yes. My lawyers were champing at the bit to go back to court, but I decided I’d fought the fight I needed to and there was no longer a need to drag the school through anything else. I thought resigning was the classy way of walking away from the school.

CWR: Were people at the school sympathetic to you?

Kennedy: I thought most of the people were on my side, the “working class”. But the leadership was not. I lost some friends over this. They thought I was putting myself before the school.

One teacher, who belonged to the Church of Satan, was a big driving force in organizing people against me. She recruited people I know to show up at football games. They’d wear black robes and horns, saying they’re expressing their religious beliefs like I was.

CWR: What are you doing now?

Kennedy: I’m living in Pensacola, caring for my father-in-law. I’m also sharing my story, trying to inspire people and get them to stand up for their beliefs. If I can make a difference, anyone can.

CWR: How did the idea of the film Average Joe develop? Were you active in the production of the movie?

Kennedy: I was contacted by the producers about doing my story. They sent a writer, Stephanie Katz, who wrote the screenplay and book. She’d write, and I’d make corrections. She wanted to tell my story in my voice. Besides being a First Amendment story it is a love story about the relationship between my wife and me. It is true to me and my story.

CWR: Are you pleased with the end result?

Kennedy: I love it. We left some things out, such as the extent of abuse I’d suffered as a child and graphic stories of the heathen period of my life, but it’s over 90 percent accurate and something families should see.

CWR: Suppose you’d been a Muslim with a prayer rug on the field or an Indian shaman doing a Native American ritual. Do you think the district would have fired you? Do you believe you were targeted as a Christian?

Kennedy: Yes. The same week I’d started my battle, the administration sent a memo out, cautioning us against being anti-Muslim. We had a new Muslim teacher and some Muslim students who they didn’t want to offend. Conversely, it’s open season on Christians.

CWR: Who should see this film?

Kennedy: It’s for everyone. If you love America, you’ll find it to be an inspiring story.

CWR: What message do you have for other religious people who feel persecuted by government entities for their beliefs?

Kennedy: Simple. Do the right thing. Stand up for what you believe. It may not be easy, it may bring lots of pain and suffering, but you’ll be the better person for it. Besides, as Christians, we know the end of the story: God will triumph.

CWR: Why did you choose the name “Average Joe”?

Kennedy: Because that’s me, I’m average. Below average, in fact! I wanted a simple title that would appeal to people and reflect my story: an ordinary high school coach who stands up for religious freedom.

• To watch the trailer, see theater locations and other movie information, and buy tickets, visit AverageJoeMovie.com.