Buffalo Bills’ safety Damar Hamlin, who is recovering after an on-field cardiac arrest,attended the Super Bowl wearing a jacket featuring an image of Jesus that was widely perceived by fans as disrespectful and offensive. Hamlin was photographed wearing a Takashi Murakami “Travis Jesus” jacket during pregame ceremonies. He was sitting in the NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell’s box at the Super Bowl in Arizona on Sunday.
“My beliefs and Relationships with God is not tied to symbolic images.”
-Damar Hamlin
An online backlash emanated as soon as the images hit social media. Fans lashed at Hamlin. Prominent among those who were not very pleased with the jacket were former NFL running back Adrian Peterson, who called the jacket, “blasphemous”.
He issued a statement on twitter saying, “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.”
In December last year, the second-year player had an on-field cardiac arrest during a game against Cincinnati. Hamlin has been undergoing a long and arduous recovery process since.
Hamlin also spoke to Peterson, who later said in an Instagram post: “After speaking with Damar, I have an understanding that it didn’t come from a place of ill intent. I apologize for offending you, I just felt offended in that moment as a man who loves and respects our Lord and Savior.”
