Character Relationship Map: Average Joe

Characters

• Joe Kennedy (played by Eric Close) — protagonist

  Joe Kennedy is the central figure, first presented as a troublesome boy who embellishes stories for entertainment. As a Marine, he refuses to disrespect his unit’s flag; later, as a football coach, he...

• Denise Kennedy (played by Amy Acker) — supporting

  Denise Kennedy is Joe’s longtime partner and a major emotional counterpoint to his convictions. She believes his commitment to putting God first helped her trust him after the difficulties of her firs...

• Steve Ford (played by Brandon Morales) — supporting

  Steve Ford is the legal figure who informs Joe that the Supreme Court has declined to hear his case. He then provides more hopeful context, explaining that the Court identified problems in the lower-c...

• Smiling Sam Green (played by Exie Booker) — minor

  Smiling Sam Green helps move Joe toward coaching by encouraging him to consider a football opportunity. His suggestion becomes important because Joe initially resists the job, while Denise sees the of...

• Denise Kennedy (young adult) (played by Andrea Figliomeni) — minor

  Denise Kennedy (young adult) represents Denise during the period when her relationship with Joe develops beyond their early teenage encounters. The summary gives few specific events from this stage, b...

• Denise Kennedy (teen) (played by Anabelle Holloway) — minor

  Denise Kennedy (teen) is the new girl who catches Joe’s attention during his teenage years. Her arrival begins the relationship that eventually develops across the years, linking Joe’s troublesome you...

• Joe Kennedy (young adult) (played by Austin Woods) — minor

  Joe Kennedy (young adult) depicts Joe during the years between his troubled adolescence and his later role as a coach. The summary indicates that his relationship with Denise continues through this pe...

• Joe Kennedy (teen) (played by Ezra Richardson) — minor

  Joe Kennedy (teen) is shown as a troublesome adolescent who frequently gets into trouble and is eventually expelled from school after playing pranks. He notices Denise when she arrives as the new girl...

Canonical Relationships

Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.

• Denise Kennedy (young adult) → Joe Kennedy (young adult) (Developing Romantic Relationship) — Their relationship continues into adulthood and becomes the partnership tested by Joe's public and legal struggle.

  The reference says Joe and Denise's relationship develops through the years, and later identifies Denise as Joe's wife.

• Denise Kennedy (teen) → Joe Kennedy (teen) (Early Romantic Interest) — Their early encounter begins a relationship that continues as they grow older.

  The reference says Denise is the new girl who catches Joe's attention and that their relationship develops through the years.

• Steve Ford → Joe Kennedy (Professional Legal Adviser) — Steve gives Joe consequential news about the case and explains why the Court's decision may still leave an opportunity to continue.

  Steve tells Joe that the Supreme Court declined to hear the case and explains the problems it identified in the lower-court decisions and a possible p...

• Smiling Sam Green → Joe Kennedy (Professional Career Encourager) — Sam's encouragement prompts Joe to consider a coaching opportunity, which he initially resists before accepting.

  Smiling Sam Green encourages Joe to consider coaching football.

• Joe Kennedy → Denise Kennedy (Family Husband And Wife In Conflict) — Denise's support is part of Joe's life and struggle, but the prolonged fight leaves her exhausted while Joe sees another chance to continue.

  Denise is identified as Joe's wife, and the story ends with them disagreeing about whether to continue the legal fight.

Story Analysis

Joe's convictions lead him from a life of stubborn choices into a public legal struggle that tests his marriage and Denise's endurance.

Plot Progression

1. The Trouble-Prone Years — Joe recalls embellishing a camel story and describes himself as a troublesome child. As a teenager, he is expelled after playing pranks and notices Denise, whose relationship with him develops over ti...
2. Conviction Under Pressure — Joe refuses an order to stomp on his Marine unit's flag and accepts punishment. Denise later explains that his willingness to put God first helped her trust him.
3. A Calling to Coach — Sam encourages Joe to consider coaching, and Denise suggests the opportunity may have a purpose. Joe resists at first but eventually accepts the job.
4. Prayer Becomes Controversy — The district tells Joe not to pray on the field, but he kneels at the 50-yard line to keep his promise to God. His post-game prayer becomes a public controversy after his social media post goes viral.
5. A Legal Opening, A Personal Cost — Steve explains the Supreme Court's decision and the possible path for the case to return. Joe sees hope in the news, while Denise is exhausted by the years of upheaval and doubts she can continue.