Coach Joe Kennedy lost his job at Bremerton High School in Washington state after he ignored orders to stop praying on the field after games. The case has been up and down the court system ever since. That includes the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, which ruled in favor of the school system.
First Liberty, the largest legal organization in the nation dedicated exclusively to defending religious liberty for all Americans, is trying to get the Supreme Court to hear arguments.
"We're hopeful that at least four of the justices will vote to hear the case," says First Liberty Institute attorney Mike Berry. "It takes a minimum of four justices to vote to hear the case for your case to get reviewed by the court, so that's what we're hoping for."
Berry says Kennedy has a right to be a football coach and should not have to choose between his faith and his job.
"Even though the case is really about Coach Kennedy, it's ultimately going to affect millions of Americans," says Berry. "If the Ninth Circuit's decision is left unchallenged, it could mean that this could happen over and over again across the country. Whether they're a football coach or a school teacher or an administrator, they also could be forced to choose between their faith and their job."
A number of friend-of-the-court briefs have been filed, including some by coaches and public figures who support Kennedy.
