Buffalo Bills defensive back Damar Hamlin was in attendance for Super Bowl LVII, where he was honored for his courage in recovering from a cardiac arrest on the field during the January 2 Monday Night Football game.
The game itself was canceled and Hamlin was taken to the hospital where it initially appeared that his situation could turn fatal. However, the 24-year-old NFL star has bounced back. His story has been met with huge relief from The League and its fans. As anyone can imagine, it could have been a whole lot worse.
Riding this wave of goodwill, Hamlin happily made his presence known in Glendale, where he was also a special guest of NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. The smile on his face said it all. Unfortunately, it was the message that his coat was broadcasting that some viewers had a problem with.
Hamlin had on a Kanye West Eternal Saint blue varsity jacket, with an illustration of Jesus on the cross under the word ‘ETERNAL.’ The front had a depiction of Jesus’ face and appears to reference a Bible verse that reads: “Without end or beginning there is no day and no night.”
It was a message that several fans and observers considered an offensive depiction of Jesus. Notably, former NFL running back Adrian Peterson said that Hamlin’s jacket was “blasphemy” on the Monday following the game.
Once Damar Hamlin got word of the firestorm, he made it a point to apologize.
“After talking with my parents I understand how my coat could have offended some people,” Hamlin posted on Twitter. “It was never my intentions to hurt or disrespect anyone, the coat is abstract art to me.”
RELATED: Buffalo Bills Co-Owner Kim Pegula ALSO Had Sudden Cardiac Arrest Like Damar Hamlin
Hamlin then summed up where he stood by simply stating: “My beliefs and Relationship with God is not tied to symbolic images. I will learn from ths and continue to walk in Love as I ALWAYS have. Matthew 7:1-5.”
The Buffalo star was honored with the Alan Page Community Award at the Super Bowl. While wearing the coat in question, he took part in a pregame ceremony.
Alongside him, the NFL also recognized the Bills and Bengals training and medical staffs and first responders who treated Hamlin on the field, and the staff of the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, where he spent his recovery period.
While it’s not clear if Hamlin will be considered able to safely play in the NFL again, he said in a recent interview that it’s something he’s hoping for. And? He’s putting it in God’s hands.
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