Damar Hamlin has apologized for wearing a ‘blasphemous’ jacket at the Super Bowl, six weeks after his cardiac arrest – and said he talked to his parents to understand how it could hurt people
Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin has posted an apology after receiving backlash for the jacket he was seen wearing at the Super Bowl.
Hamlin wore a blue and white letterman jacket with yellow wording and designs around the jacket.
The part of the design that some people found offensive – like former NFL multi-time all-pro running back Adrian Peterson who labeled it ‘blasphemous,’ – is the altered face of Jesus featured on the left breast of the jacket as well as on the back of the jacket with the word ‘Eternal.’
‘After talking to my parents, I understand how my coat might offend some people. I don’t intend to offend or disrespect anyone, the coat is abstract art to me. It says Eternally I am Eternally grateful to my Savior!’ Hamlin said in a tweet.
Salvation was also seen in the garb with the altered face of Jesus on the field pregame
The blue letterman-style jacket featuring an image of a transfigured face of Jesus on the front, with the word ‘Eternal,’ and a similar design image of a crucifix on the back
Hamlin posted his apology to the people he offended along with an explanation of his point of view
‘My beliefs and Relationship with God are not tied to symbolic images. I will learn from this and continue to walk in Love as I ALWAYS have. Matthew 7:1-5.’
Hamlin has become one of the most recognizable players in the NFL over the past few months after he was miraculously returned to the field after suffering a cardiac arrest.
When Peterson, who is a devout Christian, exploded on social media, he said, ‘You should thank God son! This is Blasphemy!! We are all lacking but c’mon man! I find this disrespectful. #grateful #goddid.’
The 37-year-old later edited his post to reveal that he and Hamlin had cleared the air as they were able to ‘talk about our thoughts as men’ and apologized for offending him.
However, Peterson also maintained his opposition to the outfit as he insisted it was disrespectful.
‘So I talked to Damar, and we talked about our thoughts as men,’ Peterson wrote in his revised caption. ‘I want to be clear, I’m the last person to judge anyone, and that’s not my intention.
Hamlin (left) suffered from cardiac arrest after a tackle against the Bengals in January
The legendary running back slammed the jacket as ‘blasphemous’ before editing the caption
‘However, I feel like the jacket is disrespectful and it’s something I have to share. I realize that everyone makes mistakes and makes mistakes sometimes, so again, my intention is never to judge, just to share my opinion.
‘Damar, I have respect and love for you and I wish you nothing but the best, but I just can’t rock with that jacket. I feel that there are many people, young and old, who look up to you and have power and influence with great responsibility.
‘I apologize for offending you, I just felt hurt at that moment as a person who loves and respects our Lord and Savior, Yeshua. After speaking with Damar, I understand that it did not come from a place of malice!’
The jacket was created by artist Takashi Murakami with a reported $3,150 price tag, according to TMZ, and Hamlin was also seen wearing it as he sat in the stands next to Donna Kelce, the mother of Jason and Travis Kelce, and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.
Hamlin joined the stage at the NFL Honors Thursday night and they all received a warm welcome from the crowd at State Farm Stadium, Glendale, Arizona Sunday night.
The 24-year-old was seen wearing a jacket with Donna Kelce (C) and Roger Goodell (L)
He made an appearance at the NFL Honors, which also honored the training and medical staff
