Jesus as 'Abstract Art': Bills' Damar Hamlin Reveals View of 'Blasphemous' Super Bowl Jacket
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Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin has hopefully put to rest the controversy over the jacket he wore Sunday as he attended Super Bowl LVII at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.
“After talking with my parents I understand how my coat could have offended some people,” Hamlin tweeted on Wednesday. “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. Matthew 7:1-5.”
Despite the positivity that has surrounded him since his health scare on Jan. 2, Hamlin suddenly found himself at the center of controversy due to his Super Bowl attire, something that former NFL MVP running back Adrian Peterson made sure didn't go unnoticed.
Hamlin sported a jacket that featured the image of an altered, cartoonish and color-filled face of Jesus Christ on the front and an image of the crucifix on the back. Peterson took offense to the way Jesus' image was displayed on the jacket.
"You should be thanking God son!" Peterson wrote on Instagram. "This is Blasphemy!! We all fall short but c'mon man! I find this disrespectful."
Here's an image of the jacket, courtesy of zingarokk.com:
Hamlin hasn't shied away from sharing his faith throughout his recovery, thanking God on multiple occasions since speaking publicly for the first time recently.
In a follow-up, however, the fifth-leading rusher in NFL history said Monday that he has since spoken with Hamlin and understands that there was no "ill intent."
"After speaking with Damar, I have an understanding that it didn’t come from a place of ill intent," Peterson wrote on Instagram. " ... I feel like there are a lot people, young and old, looking up to you and with power and influence comes great responsibility. I apologize for offending you, I just felt offended in that moment as a man who loves and respects our Lord and Savior, Yeshua."
You can follow Zach Dimmitt on Twitter at @ZachDimmitt7
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