"Average Joe" and Two Marines Who Fight Back

In the realm of American storytelling, few narratives capture the essence of perseverance, faith, and the fight for individual rights as poignantly as the movie "Average Joe" (2024). Directed by Harold Cronk and starring Eric Close as the titular character, the film is based on the real-life saga of Joe Kennedy, a high school football coach and Marine veteran whose quiet act of prayer on the field ignited a national debate on religious freedom.

Released in theaters in October 2024, Average Joe chronicles Kennedy's journey from a troubled childhood in foster care, through two decades of service in the Marine Corps, to his role as an assistant coach at Bremerton High School in Washington state.

The movie not only highlights the personal toll of his legal battle but also underscores broader themes of resilience against institutional pressures, making it a compelling tale of one man's unyielding commitment to his beliefs.

At the heart of Average Joe is Kennedy's practice of kneeling in silent prayer at midfield after football games—a brief, personal moment of gratitude that began in 2008 when he started coaching at Bremerton High. Initially unnoticed, this act drew attention as students and players voluntarily joined him over time. In 2015, the Bremerton School District, concerned about potential violations of the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment, directed Kennedy to stop praying in view of students, fearing it could be seen as government endorsement of religion by a public employee.

Kennedy, a devout Christian and veteran who had served 20 years in the Marines, viewed this as an infringement on his free speech and free exercise rights. Despite the directive, he continued his post-game prayers, leading to his suspension and eventual non-renewal of his coaching contract.The film portrays the immense pressure Kennedy and his wife Denise faced during this ordeal.

As a school employee herself, Denise encountered workplace tensions, and the couple endured public scrutiny, legal fees, and emotional strain. Yet, true to his Marine ethos of "never give up," Kennedy persisted. He sued the school district, arguing that his prayers were private expressions protected by the Constitution.

The case, Kennedy v. Bremerton School District, wound its way through the courts, facing setbacks at the district and appellate levels before reaching the U.S. Supreme Court in 2022. In a landmark 6-3 decision, the Court ruled in Kennedy's favor, holding that the district's actions violated his First Amendment rights and shifting toward a history-and-tradition approach for Establishment Clause claims.

Justice Neil Gorsuch's majority opinion emphasized that the government cannot suppress personal religious observance, affirming that Kennedy's prayers were neither coercive nor an official endorsement of religion. Kennedy was reinstated, though he coached only one more season before retiring, and the district settled with him for $1.78 million in 2023.

Average Joe masterfully weaves these events into a narrative of triumph over adversity, portraying Kennedy not as a crusader imposing his faith but as an "average" American defending fundamental liberties. The movie's promotional materials highlight his Marine background as a source of his tenacity, drawing parallels to broader cultural battles over religious expression in public spaces.

This theme of steadfast defense of individual rights resonates deeply with another Marine veteran, Russ McAlmond, who is currently campaigning for Oregon's U.S. Senate seat in the 2026 election. Born in Bremerton, Washington, McAlmond spent the first twelve years of his life in the same town where Kennedy's story unfolded years later.

This striking coincidence is particularly meaningful: McAlmond had followed Kennedy's battle closely because it originated in his childhood hometown of Bremerton, forging a personal connection to the fight for religious freedom and constitutional rights. Like Kennedy, McAlmond served in the Marines, earning an honorable discharge after three years of active duty, including a 15-month overseas deployment.

McAlmond has positioned his campaign as a fight for common-sense policies that prioritize individual human rights over extreme ideologies. Running as a Republican against incumbent Democrat Jeff Merkley, McAlmond emphasizes rural priorities such as healthcare access, public safety, and rebuilding institutional trust, drawing from his own experiences in a challenging family background to advocate for those from difficult starts.

McAlmond's campaign has faced its own hurdles, echoing Kennedy's institutional pushback. In 2025, Facebook suspended his account multiple times—the latest for 30 days—amid efforts to share his message on free speech and human rights. This censorship, which McAlmond attributes to platform biases, has not deterred him; instead, it has galvanized support from fellow users and Oregonians who view it as an assault on open discourse.

Posts in Facebook groups highlight strong community backing, with members decrying the suspensions and rallying around his candidacy. McAlmond's response mirrors Kennedy's resolve: he continues to campaign vigorously, using alternative platforms like his website and social media to connect with voters.

Both Kennedy and McAlmond exemplify the Marine spirit of pushing back against forces that threaten core American values—freedom of religion for Kennedy and freedom of speech for McAlmond. The shared Bremerton connection adds an intriguing layer to their parallel stories: two Marines, tied by the same small Washington town, standing firm against pressures that seek to limit personal liberties.

In an era where debates over individual rights versus collective policies often polarize, their narratives remind us of the importance of warriors who fight for constitutional protections. For Oregon, facing challenges from healthcare disparities to economic pressures, leaders like McAlmond could provide the tenacious advocacy needed to safeguard rights for all citizens, ensuring that personal freedoms remain unyielding in the face of adversity.

As Average Joe illustrates, sometimes the most extraordinary victories come from ordinary people who refuse to kneel—except in prayer or principle.