Document ID: ./input/supremecourt_opinions/opinions/21pdf/21-418_i425.pdf
Page Number: 51

Cite as:  597 U. S. ____ (2022) 

11 

SOTOMAYOR, J., dissenting 

In  an  October  28  letter,  the  District  notified  Kennedy
that it was placing him on paid administrative leave for vi-
olating its directives at the October 16, October 23, and Oc-
tober 26 games by kneeling on the field and praying imme-
diately following the games before rejoining the players for
postgame talks.  The District recounted that it had offered 
accommodations to, and offered to engage in further discus-
sions  with,  Kennedy  to  permit  his  religious  exercise,  and 
that Kennedy had failed to respond to these offers.  The Dis-
trict  stressed  that  it  remained  willing  to  discuss  possible 
accommodations if Kennedy was willing.

After  the  issues  with  Kennedy  arose,  several  parents
reached out to the District saying  that their children had
participated in Kennedy’s prayers solely to avoid separat-
ing themselves from the rest of the team.  No BHS students 
appeared to pray on the field after Kennedy’s suspension.

In Kennedy’s annual review, the head coach of the varsity
team  recommended  Kennedy  not  be  rehired  because  he 
“failed to follow district policy,” “demonstrated a lack of co-
operation with administration,” “contributed to negative re-
lations  between  parents,  students,  community  members,
coaches,  and  the  school  district,”  and  “failed  to  supervise 
student-athletes  after  games  due  to  his  interactions  with
media  and  community”  members.  Id.,  at  114.    The  head 
coach himself also resigned after 11 years in that position,
expressing fears that he or his staff would be shot from the
crowd or otherwise attacked because of the turmoil created 
by Kennedy’s media appearances.  Three of five other assis-
tant coaches did not reapply. 

C 
Kennedy then filed suit.  He contended, as relevant, that 
the District violated his rights under the Free Speech and 
Free Exercise Clauses of the First Amendment.  Kennedy
moved  for  a  preliminary  injunction,  which  the  District