Former Virginia Tech soccer player Kiersten Hening was benched by her coach after refusing orders to kneel before a game.
Coach Charles Adair reportedly disagreed with Hening’s well-known conservative political views.
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
The soccer star said this violated her First Amendment rights and she filed a lawsuit against the coach.
The case was settled after the coach agreed to pay $100,000 as part of an agreement to dismiss a federal lawsuit.
Many Americans view kneeling during the National Anthem as a sign of disrespect to the country as well as the brave men and women who have served in uniform to defend American freedom.
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
According to WSLS-TV, Hening filed a suit against Coach Adair that “because she refused to kneel, he benched her, subjected her to repeated verbal abuse, and forced her off the team.”
The judge agreed that her case showed sufficient evidence that her rights were violated.
This forced the coach to consider options for settling the legal dispute.
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.”
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
As evidence of the college coach’s political views, he allegedly criticized the phrase “All Lives Matter” and its supporters.
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.”
Hats off to this strong, powerful young lady. You are a true American Patriot! #respect #kierstenhening pic.twitter.com/L8gGeexAKI
— Next Level Baseball (@nextlevelbb) April 22, 2021
Judge Cullen said, “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.”