Damar Hamlin jacket controversy: Why was Bills star's Super Bowl outfit labelled offensive?
Buffalo Bills star safety Damar Hamlin is receiving backlash following a jacket he wore at Super Bowl LVII.
Hamlin's jacket was considered offensive by many as it had an image of a crucifix with an altered Jesus Christ head on it.
Damar Hamlin attended the Super Bowl wearing a Saint Michael varsity jacket patched with Takashi Murakami's abstracted rendering of Jesus, prompting people to label him as "blasphemous" π€ We don't think its that deep https://t.co/S0JV1cZ7Na
The jacket was a collaboration with the brand SAINT Mxxxxxx and sold for thousands of dollars. It's called "Travis Jesus".
Hamlin wore the jacket in an attempt to portray himself as being blessed and resurrected. The Bills safety suffered a cardiac arrest during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals in January. CPR was performed on him on the field before he was transported to the hospital. He was in a life-threatening condition for a few days but managed to recover.
Damar Hamlin's jacket at Super Bowl irks NFL world
Former NFL running back Adrian Peterson was one of those who criticized Hamlin's choice of attire.
Peterson said:
"You should be thanking God son! This is Blasphemy!! We all fall short but c'mon man. I find this disrespectful."
thoughts?
Damar Hamlin receiving backlash for wearing this jacket to the Super Bowl, Adrian Peterson says itβs Blasphemy ππ³ thoughts? https://t.co/Y1ynhxIRtD
Peterson then said that he spoke to Hamlin regarding the jacket to get his point of view.
"So I spoke with Damar, and we were able to discuss our thoughts as men. I want to be clear, Iβm the last person to judge anyone, and that was never my intention. However, I do feel as if the jacket was disrespectful and it was something that I needed to share.
"I do realize everyone makes mistakes and falls short at times, so again, my intention was 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 canβt rock with that jacket."
Damar Hamlin responds to Super Bowl jacket criticism
Following the criticism he received for wearing the controversial jacket at the Super Bowl, Hamlin posted an apology on Twitter.
"After talking with my parents I understand how my coat could have offended some people. It was never my intention to hurt or disrespect anyone, the coat is abstract art to me. It says Eternal which I am Eternally thankful to my Savior!"
After talking with my parents I understand how my coat could have offended some people. 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! (1/2)
Hamlin added:
"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."
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 π«ΆπΎπ
Hamlin said he never meant to offend anyone by wearing the jacket he wore. It will be interesting to see if he keeps it in his wardrobe and wears it again.