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

To this day, Coach Joe Kennedy looks back with bewilderment that a simple 30-second post-game prayer sparked a cultural battle and, ultimately, a Supreme Court case. Kennedy won that case, and he also won over many critics. He also inspired countless Christians around the world. Still, Kennedy is amazed that his defiant act—he prayed after being told to stop—changed America's legal landscape.

"This was such a simple thing," Kennedy told Crosswalk Headlines. "[Prayer has] been going on from the beginning of time."

He had no interest in stirring controversy, he said, "but God had other plans."

On Oct. 11, a movie about Kennedy's legal fight—Average Joe—hits theaters. It's based on a book of the same name and describes Kennedy as a man of conviction whose time in foster care and two decades in the Marines prepared him for the legal fight, which ultimately cost him his job as an assistant coach for the Bremerton (Wash.) High School football team.

Contrary to conventional wisdom, Kennedy had plenty of support from the community, not only among parents but also within the team. His detractors, though, were vocal -- and powerful.

Kennedy began his coaching career after watching the 2006 faith-based football movie Facing the Giants by filmmakers Alex and Stephen Kendrick. That movie also spurred him to pray. From that moment, he made a "covenant with God" to "give Him the glory after every game, win or lose.

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