BREMERTON — An assistant football coach at Bremerton High School  is under investigation for leading post-game prayers at the 50-yard line.

Joe Kennedy, who served 20 years in the Marine Corps, has led the prayers for almost a decade. On Sept. 11, Kennedy said on his Facebook page that someone told him he could be fired for doing so.

The resulting controversy has made national headlines, including a nearly 5-minute long segment on Fox News.

The Bremerton School District is investigating whether Kennedy violated district policy. Leading the investigation is the district’s attorney, Jeff Ganson of the Porter Foster Rorick law firm.

In particular, the district is concerned with District Board Policy 2340, which states “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.”

“Once you’re hired as a public employee there are certain things you are required to do,” said Patty Glaser, communications director for the district. “(The investigator) is looking to see if he was in violation of any policy. He’s a paid coach and therefore beholden by those policies.”

The district is investigating how staff are trained to learn about and comply with policies, the district said in a press release.

“Based upon what we learn from that investigation, we will take necessary action to ensure the rights of all members of our school community are honored,” the release said.

A Support Joe Kennedy Facebook page was created Sept. 12 and has hundreds of posts and thousands of comments.

As of this posting, at least 1,600 people said they were attending Bremerton’s next game in support of Kennedy.

According to the page, Kennedy replied to a post on a different page with the following statement on Sept. 13:

“The truth is:

1. Told that I couldn’t lead the prayer.

2. I asked what they would do if I did.

3. They said “ they will fire you “

4. I prayed.

5. Now I am waiting to hear from the school tomorrow.

As of today, I have not been fired.”

It’s still unclear who told Kennedy he could be fired.

Bremerton plays Olympic High School on Sept. 18 at 7 p.m. at Bremerton Memorial Stadium.