Damar Hamlin responds to Super Bowl LVII jacket controversy: ‘I am Eternally thankful to my Savior!’
Damar Hamlin said Wednesday he meant no disrespect after his Super Bowl attire drew criticism.
The Buffalo Bills safety didn’t intend to offend when Sunday when he attended the Super Bowl wearing a jacket that depicted the crucifixion with an altered Jesus head.
“After talking with my parents I understand how my coat could have offended some people,” Hamlin wrote in a tweet. “It was never my intentions to hurt or disrespect anyone, the coat is abstract art to me. It says Eternal which I am Eternally thankful to my Savior!
“My beliefs and Relationship with God is not tied to symbolic images. I will learn from this and continue to walk in Love as I ALWAYS have.”
Hamlin is recovering after being resuscitated on the field after going into cardiac arrest during a game in Cincinnati six weeks ago. He appeared at the Super Bowl on Sunday with a Kanye West Eternal Saint blue varsity jacket.
The back of the jacket featured an abstract illustration of Jesus on the cross under the word “ETERNAL.” The front featured an abstract depiction of Jesus’ face and appears to reference a Bible verse that reads: “Without end or beginning there is no day and no night.”
Among the critics were former NFL running back Adrian Peterson, who referred to the jacket as “blasphemy” on Monday.
A day later, Peterson wrote in an Instagram post that he has since cleared the air with Hamlin.
“After speaking with Damar, I have an understanding that it didn’t come from a place of ill intent,” Peterson wrote. “I apologize for offending you, I just felt offended in that moment as a man who loves and respects our Lord and Savior.”
Mark Heim is a sports reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim,