OPINION | This article contains the author's opinion.
Former Virginia Tech soccer player Kiersten Hening says she was benched by her coach after refusing orders to kneel before a game.
The soccer star, who is well-known for her conservative political views, filed a federal lawsuit against her coach and claimed this violated her First Amendment rights.
Despite denying any wrongdoing, coach Charles Adair agreed to pay $100,000 as part of an agreement to dismiss a federal lawsuit. (Trending: Trans Women Wins Major Sports Event)
Virginia Tech soccer player Kiersten Hening, who got benched for refusing to kneel, receives $100k from settlement.
Patriot 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/BaUgerhVva
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) January 8, 2023
Like many Americans, Hening views kneeling during the National Anthem as a sign of disrespect to the country as well as the brave men and women in the U.S. military who have sacrificed to defend American freedom.
Coach Adair attempted to fight the lawsuit, but a judge agreed that her case showed sufficient evidence that her rights were violated. If the case went to trial, the consequences from a jury could have been far greater.
In court documents, Hening alleged that “because she refused to kneel, he benched her, subjected her to repeated verbal abuse, and forced her off the team.”
Virginia Tech's soccer coach, Charles Adair benched Kiersten Hening for NOT kneeling before a game during the height of the BLM movement.
She sued & just won a $100k+ lawsuit 🙌 pic.twitter.com/smTBeUayZ4
— Jon Root (@JonnyRoot_) January 9, 2023
Judge Cullen wrote, “The court concludes that there is sufficient evidence in the record supporting Hening’s claim that Adair’s actions, whatever his motives, adversely affected her First Amendment rights.”
“Whatever his motivations, the court has no trouble concluding that Adair’s conduct towards Hening, publicly chastising her, removing her from the starting lineup, and reducing her playing time, would tend to chill a person of ordinary firmness’s exercise of her First Amendment rights,” the judge said. (Trending: Biden Family Operated Like Organized Crime)
Kiersten Hening: I was forced off college soccer team after refusing to kneel https://t.co/J8dQCMf0Tr pic.twitter.com/Hw4M0Onx9l
— New York Post (@nypost) April 23, 2021
A report in the Miami Herald said that the settlement “asserted Hening’s First Amendment rights were violated.” Coach Charles Adir tweeted, “I am pleased the case against me has been closed, and I am free to move forward clear of any wrongdoing.”
Attorney Adam Mortara responded, “Kiersten Hening was benched for her free speech, and you are paying a giant settlement proves it.” As evidence of the college coach’s political views, he allegedly criticized the phrase “All Lives Matter” and its supporters.