Appeals court rules barring pregame prayer does not violate First Amendment

A federal appeals court ruled that the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) did not violate First Amendment rights when it blocked a Tampa Christian school’s request to broadcast a pregame prayer over the loudspeaker at a 2015 football championship. The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a previous ruling, finding that announcements over the stadium PA system were “government speech” and not subject to free speech protections.

Cambridge Christian School argued that the ban infringed on its religious freedom and free speech rights, but the court maintained that the FHSAA was regulating its own communication. Since the announcements were scripted and controlled by the FHSAA, blocking the prayer did not violate the school’s rights, the ruling concluded.

The lawsuit arose from a championship game between Cambridge Christian and University Christian School at Orlando’s Camping World Stadium. While players prayed on the field before the game, the loudspeaker remained off for spectators, which led to the lengthy legal battle.

The case also prompted legislative action. In 2023, Florida lawmakers passed a law allowing high schools to deliver “brief opening remarks” before state championships — including prayers, if they wish — with restrictions on length and derogatory content. Under the law, the FHSAA cannot control or monitor what is said in these opening remarks.

While the court upheld the ban, Cambridge Christian also sought an injunction to prevent similar restrictions in the future. However, the panel ruled the school lacked standing, as the team hasn’t returned to a championship game since 2015, making a repeat scenario unlikely. The court’s decision and the new law effectively render the FHSAA’s earlier prayer ban moot.