On Tuesday evening, October 1st, the movie “Average Joe” premiered at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles, with a red carpet event attended by the director, producer, main cast, and the real-life inspiration behind the film, Joe Kennedy, along with his wife. GND Media and Fathom Group announced that the film will be released nationwide on the 11th of this month.
The movie tells the story of Joe Kennedy, who becomes a high school football coach after serving 18 years in the Marine Corps. He kneels and prays at the 50-yard line of the field after every game. When the school district demands he stop praying publicly on the field, leading to his dismissal, Kennedy sues the district and appeals to the U.S. Supreme Court for 8 years.
Producer Robert Katz stated, “A man with a troubled childhood who becomes a Marine and serves in the Iraq War, returning to help young people with similar backgrounds. He fought relentlessly after his dismissal, winning a victory for all of us, winning the right protected under the First Amendment.” He hopes the film will inspire courage and faith in people.
13-year-old Ezra Richardson plays the foster child Kennedy in the film. “It’s an incredible role, and after reading the script, I really wanted to be part of it.” He said that religious freedom is an important aspect of the movie, and he learned a lot from meeting Mr. Kennedy, describing him as a great person.
Actor Brandon Morales, who plays the lawyer in the film, expressed his anticipation to see the movie on the big screen. He emphasized how important it is for people to see what Kennedy fought for, not just for religious freedom but also for the love of his life.
Morales, familiar with the background of the story, considers prayer as a cornerstone of life, helping him become a better person. “Our school’s football team prays before and after every game. If someone is injured, we pray for their quick recovery,” he said. “Regardless of who wins the game, we pray for everyone and spread love.”
Film composer Andrew Morgan Smith mentioned the pressures Kennedy faced from the school district and opponents, leading to moments of retreat, but ultimately, his return to the field to pray inspired many for standing up for what he believed to be right.
Many Hollywood industry figures attended the premiere. Young actor and singer Mason McNulty said, “It’s a film about striving for what you believe in and never giving up.” McNulty recently released a single titled “Lessons of Love.” He added, “Everyone has their beliefs, and if I were his team member, I would pray together.”
Another young actor, dancer, and voice artist for Barbie movies, Cassidy Naber, expressed her excitement after watching the trailer, finding it powerful and something to look forward to. She stated, “In this age of social media, sometimes we need to pause and remind ourselves why we are here.”
In June 2022, the Supreme Court ruled 6-3 in favor of Kennedy in the case of “Joseph A. Kennedy v. Bremerton School District.” Justice Neil Gorsuch stated in the majority opinion, “The free speech clause of the First Amendment protects individuals from government retaliation for engaging in personal religious rituals; the Constitution neither requires nor permits the government to suppress such religious expressions.”
Kelly Shackelford, President, CEO, and Chief Legal Counsel of the First Liberty Institute, commented on the case, highlighting how it changed the legal landscape and emphasized the importance of religious freedom, especially in challenging times for many individuals.
“This film will make Kennedy’s story widely known and inspire many,” she said. “My greatest hope is to restore the religious freedom established for this country. The Founding Fathers did not want the government to dictate our thoughts, speech, or religious beliefs.” She noted the positive shift in the landscape of religious freedom in recent years.
Director Harold David Cronk assured Kennedy on the first day of filming that the movie would be true to his story and aimed to portray it well for him and for God, making him proud of the work done.
Kennedy and key production members took questions from the audience after the screening. Kennedy expressed his gratitude for the support from friends across the United States and his family, which made all their efforts a reality, reinforcing his faith in America and the justice system.
Despite a challenging upbringing in foster care, Kennedy acknowledged a mentor who played a pivotal role in his life, instilling belief in his potential when no one else did, which eventually came to fruition after his Marine Corps service.
Acknowledging the difficult legal battle that spanned 8 years, Kennedy thanked his wife for standing by him through thick and thin, jokingly mentioning his skill in digging graves for a living. Host Troy Duhon concluded by praising Kennedy’s resilience and faith, noting that not everyone would accept such a challenge knowingly.
He called upon everyone to reflect on the changes in America since the removal of public school prayer in 1963, pointing out the rise in issues among children, such as depression and suicide rates. Duhon stressed the importance of teaching gratitude and reasons to strive for a cause from a young age.