Damar Hamlin opens up about his reasoning for wearing a controversial jacket to Super Bowl 57. Buffalo Bills safety taken to Twitter on Wednesday to share her side of the story after receiving criticism for a piece of clothing that featured religious imagery.
“After talking to my parents I realized how my coat might have offended some people,” she said. “It was never my intention to hurt or disrespect anyone, the coat is an abstract art to me. It says Eternal that I am eternally grateful to my Savior!”
The jacket was criticized by seven-time Pro Bowl running back Adrian Peterson, who called it blasphemous and “disrespectful”.
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Hamlin was in Super Bowl 57 after a miraculous recovery from cardiac arrest in Week 17. He was greeted at the NFL Honors when he gave a surprise speech honoring the healthcare workers who saved his life.
Damar Hamlin comments on the Super Bowl jacket
Hamlin expanded on his explanation of wearing the controversial jacket.
“My beliefs and my relationship with God are not tied to symbolic images,” she said she said in a second Twitter post. “I will learn from this and continue to walk in Love as I ALWAYS have.”
He also referred to Matthew 7:1-5, which is a sermon from Jesus Christ about not judging others.
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged,” the Scripture said in part. “For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
What was the jacket that Damar Hamlin wore to Super Bowl 57?
The varsity jacket Hamlin wore came from a collaboration between rapper Travis Scott and artist Takashi Murakami of the Saint Michael brand. One side of the front has the message “Without end or beginning, there is no day and there is no night”.
The other side has a face of a Christ-like figure wearing a crown of thorns. The face is the same chain design that Murakami made for Scott. Murakami, known for his bright colors and abstract figures of him, has also designed covers for rapper Kanye West and, in October, did an apparel collaboration with Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton.
The story continues
The back of Hamlin’s jacket said “Eternal” and has a paper doll figure being crucified.
An eBay listing is selling one of the jackets for $6,500.
Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin walks courtside before Super Bowl 57.
What did Adrian Peterson say about Damar Hamlin’s jacket?
People were angry about Hamlin’s jacket due to its depiction of religious imagery. Peterson was particularly vocal about the design.
“You should thank God, son!” the former Minnesota Vikings running back she said in an Instagram post. “This is blasphemy!! We’re all failures but come on man! I find that disrespectful!!”
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Former Jacksonville Jaguars star Fred Taylor commented on the post, suggesting Peterson should speak directly to Hamlin instead of blasting him on social media.
It appears that Peterson followed the advice. He later updated his he caption, removing the original message and saying he spoke to Hamlin and had some insight into the situation.
“We were able to discuss our thoughts as men. I want to be clear, I’m the last person to judge anyone, and that was never my intention,” she said. “However, I feel like the jacket was disrespectful and it was something I needed to share. I realize that everyone makes mistakes and fails sometimes, so again, my intention was never to judge, just to share the My opinion.
“… I feel there are many people, young and old, who look up to you and with power and influence comes great responsibility. I apologize for offending you, I felt offended at the time as a man who loves and respects our Lord and Savior, Yeshua. After talking with Damar, I realized he didn’t come from a place of bad intentions!”
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Damar Hamlin explains the controversial jacket he wore to Super Bowl 57
