Answer:
Unconstitutional
Explanation:
In a 6-1 decision known as Engel v. Vitale, the Supreme Court ruled that the prayer was unconstitutional as a violation of the establishment clause of the First Amendment. Justice Hugo Black delivered the opinion of the court. In the following excerpt he first gives the background to this case, noting the contents of the prayer and the resulting lawsuit. He then explains that the Court agrees with the petitioners that this prayer is unconstitutional because it was composed by government officials to promote religious beliefs. Black claims that even though the prayer is nondenominational and voluntary, it still involves indirect coercion because the government is behind it. Black was a Supreme Court associate justice from 1937 to 1971, where he was known as a defender of civil liberties. Prior to serving on the Court he was a lawyer and a U.S. senator.
This question is less historically based, and more law based. The purpose of the Supreme Court is to interpret the laws of the Constitution. Recall that the first Amendment of the Bill of Rights stated the right to practice any kind of religion. Technically, the football coach is not wrong for leading the team in prayer, but it also depends on the context. If the coach allowed for the players to sit out on the prayer, then his actions would still be considered constitutional. However, if he ignored the concerns of those in a different religion (or lack thereof) and forced them to be in prayer, then that is a different story. The interpretation of laws is extraordinarily complex, and it depends on the person writing and listening to the case, but I hope this gives you an idea so you can start your answer!
