Miss. Congressman Steven Palazzo Denounces Plight of Praying Wash. Football Coach Joe Kennedy

A U.S. Congressman denounced a Washington school district for putting a praying football coach on administrative leave recently, arguing that such instances are examples of religious persecution in the United States.

Mississippi Congressman Steven Palazzo spoke on the House floor this week, arguing that there have been numerous cases across the U.S. of Americans losing their religious freedom rights.

During his speech that lasted over four minutes, Congressman Palazzo told the House that he was speaking to address the lack of religious freedom that has taken place in his home state of Mississippi and other U.S. states.

Along with referencing incidences in Brandon, Mississppi and Lamar County, the congressman also referenced the recent plight of assistant football coach Joe Kennedy at Bremerton High School in Washington state.

"[...] Time and again, we've seen instances in which an individual's right to practice his or her faith has been subordinated to the sensibilities of individuals who do not share their faith in God. In Mississippi, we saw it in August when a high school band from Brandon, Mississippi was forbidden from playing the hymn 'How Great Thou Art' at a football game. We saw it in September in Lamar County as a teacher was ridiculed and disciplined for posting a voluntary prayer list in her classroom," the congressman said.

"Just last week I, along wih 45 other members, joined Congressman Forbes and Senator Langford in support of Coach Kennedy at Bremerton High School in Washington state. Coach Kennedy's eight-year tradition of walking to the 50 yard line after the conclusion of football games to say a quiet prayer was banned last month due to the school district's concerns that his actions construed as an endorsement of religion," Palazzo said. 

Assistant football coach Joe Kennedy was reportedly placed on paid administrative leave by the Bremerton School District after he refused to stop his tradition of praying on the 50-yard-line following his team's football games.