The Supreme Court Considers a Football Coach’s Prayers

<p>Joseph A. Kennedy, a former high school football coach, was fired after he made a habit of going to the 50-yard line after his team’s games to thank God and to lead his players in prayer.</p><p>On Monday, the Supreme Court heard his suit. The justice’s decision in the complex case could make a major statement about the role religion may play in public life.</p><p>Guest: <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/by/adam-liptak?smid=pc-thedaily">Adam Liptak</a>, a reporter covering the Supreme Court for The New York Times.</p><p>Want more from The Daily? For one big idea on the news each week from our team, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/newsletters/the-daily?module=inline">subscribe to our newsletter</a>. </p><p>Background reading: </p><ul><li>Coaching was his calling, Mr. Kennedy said. But after the school board in Bremerton, Wash., told him to stop mixing football and faith on the field,<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/23/us/supreme-court-football-coach-prayer.html"> he left his job and sued</a>.</li><li>Members of the Supreme Court’s conservative majority indicated that Mr. Kennedy<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/25/us/politics/supreme-court-prayer-football-coach.html"> had a constitutional right</a> to pray after games.</li></ul><p>For more information on today’s episode, visit <a href="http://nytimes.com/thedaily?smid=pc-thedaily">nytimes.com/thedaily</a>. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. </p>