'Average Joe' Continues to Be More than Average as He Partners with Coral Ridge Ministries

Coach Joe Kennedy (Average Joe) has become something of a hero and an example in the area of upholding and fighting for religious freedom. In addition to being reinstated to coach high school football at Bremerton School District, he has also decided to partner with Coral Ridge Ministries (CRM) as a content contributor.  

“I’m thrilled to have Coach Kennedy come on board as a voice to inspire and encourage people with his story of perseverance and triumph on behalf of religious liberty,” Dr. Robert J. Pacienza, CRM President and CEO told Christian Newswire. 

Additional activities Kennedy will take on for CRM include “recording content for CRM on a regular basis, speaking nationally on behalf of CRM, and eventually producing a Coral Ridge Ministries documentary,” Pacienza said.

Kennedy was a marine and atheist for many years before he became a Christian and high school football coach. He said he’s excited to be partnering with CRM and “help bring God to more people.”

Kennedy fought the courts for seven years to have the right to quietly pray at the 50-yard line after each high school football game he coached. He was reinstated in time to pick back up with the 2023 season, according to The National News Desk. 

He wrote a book along with Stephanie Katz about his battle entitled Average Joe. The book was also made into a movie, which came out in the fall of 2024. Kennedy said he and his wife “have been speaking nationwide, sharing our testimony together and encouraging people to stand up for their rights. I can’t wait to do the same as I speak to Coral Ridge Ministries’ national audience.”

“I had to choose between my faith and my job,” Kennedy told Pacienza and Rabe on their weekly The City of God Podcast. “The First Amendment is very clear to me—super clear. You can’t take away people’s rights. So, as a Marine, I had to stand there and set an example for my team and everybody else around.”

Producer Bob Katz told Catholic World Report that he took an interest in making the film because the film highlighted “an extraordinarily important cause, freedom of speech and freedom of religion, which seem to be eroding away in our society.” 

Katz added that he chose Eric Close 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.”

The producer said it’s his favorite film of all that he has made since he started filmmaking eleven years ago, and that, “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.”

For additional information on Average Joe’s story, click Coach Joe Kennedy. For those who missed the movie when it was in the theater, it’s still possible to stream it on PureFlix. 

Related Article: Coach Joe Kennedy on 'Average Joe' and the Need to 'Stand Up for What Is Right'

Photo Credit: ©Salem Books, used with permission.

Elizabeth Delaney has been a freelance content writer for over 20 years and has enjoyed having her prose published in both the non-fiction and fiction markets. She has written various types of content, including Christian articles, healthy lifestyle, blog posts, business topics, news articles, product descriptions, and some fiction. She is also a singer-songwriter-musician. When she is not busy with writing or music, she enjoys spending time with friends or family and doing fun social activities such as hiking, swing dancing, concerts, and other activities. 

Originally published March 25, 2025.