BREMERTON — After nearly a week embroiled in controversy, Joe Kennedy approached a lectern before the Bremerton School Board on Sept. 17.

Wet from rain and wearing a pair of black Nike football cleats, the assistant football coach at Bremerton High School stood before the board with his hands tucked in the pockets of his blue Bremerton Knights Football sweatshirt.

He’d spent the week the subject of national headlines and thousands of outraged Internet comments after the Bremerton School District launched an investigation on Sept. 15 into his post-game ritual of leading members of both teams in prayer at the 50-yard line.

The investigation concluded Sept. 17. The district ultimately decided not to fire Kennedy, as was speculated, although he can no longer lead or join students in prayer.

“I’d really just like to say I appreciate the school, the Bremerton School District for working through all of this time together,” Kennedy said before an unusually crowded school board meeting.

“My personal faith is my personal faith and I really love these guys.”

The controversy began following Bremerton’s 7-0 loss to Klahowya Sept. 11, someone told Kennedy he would be fired if he continued to lead the students in prayer. It’s still unclear who told him he could be fired.

Kennedy repeated the message over Facebook and then his story went viral. On the “Support Joe Kennedy” Facebook page, over 2,000 people said they’ll attend Bremerton’s Sept. 18 game against Olympic High School.

At this point, both parties (Kennedy and the district) appear satisfied with the outcome.

“I’m happy for Coach Joe,” Superintendent Aaron Leavell said at the board meeting. “I’m happy for the district. And I really hope we beat Olympic High School tomorrow.”

Kennedy said he understands why the district came to its decision.

“They needed to find out what we could and could not do to protect our kids, protect the school people and all the employees in our community,” Kennedy said.

In a written statement, Leavell said staff members, including coaches, can’t pray with students.

“Talks with students may not include religious expression, including prayer,” Leavell said. “They must remain entirely secular in nature, so as to avoid alienation of any team member and, importantly, violate the law and our board policy.”

The board’s policy on religious-related activities contains the following statement: “School staff shall neither encourage nor discourage a student from engaging in non-disruptive oral or silent prayer or any other form of devotional activity.”

The policy itself was implemented to comply with the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, particularly “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.”

The district cited three federal courts cases pertaining to schools and athletics in its decision:

• Doe v. Duncanville Independent School District, which found that schools may not allow coaches to initiate, lead or supervise student prayer.

• Santa Fe Independent School District v. Doe, which found that schools may not allow prayers to be read — even by students — over the public address system at even optional extracurricular events, such as football games.

• Borden v. School District of the Township of East Brunswick, which found schools may not even allow coaches to participate in or appear to endorse religious activity that is entirely student-initiated.

The district said allowing employees to violate the federal precedents could result in significant penalties.

Kennedy said he was unaware of the amount of legislation regarding student athletics and religion.

“It’s just amazing what the supreme court has held up and (the district) being held liable to it,” Kennedy said. “I never want to jeopardize that.”

In his statement, Leavell acknowledged that some staff members may not understand all the intricacies of the law and that it’s up to the district to ensure there are clear parameters.

“We will make sure coaching staff are provided ample training regarding this admittedly complex area of constitutional law,” Leavell said. “To be clear: The BHS football coaching staff’s conduct has been entirely well-intentioned.”

Kennedy confirmed his intentions at the meeting when he turned away from the board of directors and then addressed the audience directly.

“What we’re doing with Bremerton football is amazing,” Kennedy said, his voice trembling. “I love these kids, I mean I really do.”