Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin stirred up controversy at Super Bowl 57 when he wore a jacket featuring a depiction of Jesus on the back and the word “Eternal” on the front. Some people found the jacket offensive and disrespectful to religious imagery. After receiving criticism, Hamlin took to Twitter to address the issue, explaining that the coat was abstract art to him and that he did not intend to hurt or disrespect anyone. Hamlin expressed his thankfulness to his savior and clarified that his beliefs and relationship with God were not tied to symbolic images.
Hamlin’s apology and explanation came after he had a conversation with his parents and understood how the coat could have offended some people. In his tweet, he stated that he would continue to learn from the situation and that his beliefs and relationship with God were not tied to symbolic images. He also cited the Bible verse from Matthew 7:1-5 about not judging others and emphasized that he would continue to walk in love. Hamlin’s tweet received over 13.2 million views, 3,064 retweets, 1,207 quote tweets, and 88.4K likes.
Hamlin’s recent recovery from cardiac arrest during a game in Cincinnati made his presence at the Super Bowl all the more meaningful. He was honored during a pregame ceremony at the Super Bowl alongside the first responders and medical personnel who saved his life. Hamlin was awarded the NFLPA’s Alan Page Community Award at the annual NFL Honors ceremony, which recognizes one player who goes above and beyond to perform community service in his team city and/or hometown.
Former NFL running back Adrian Peterson, who initially referred to the jacket as “blasphemy,” later cleared the air with Hamlin. Peterson admitted that he felt offended in that moment as a man who loves and respects the Lord and Savior, but he understood that it didn’t come from a place of ill intent. Fred Taylor, a former Jacksonville Jaguars star, suggested that Peterson should speak directly to Hamlin instead of blasting him on social media.
While the “Eternal” jacket sparked controversy, Hamlin’s apology and explanation emphasized the importance of love and understanding. Hamlin’s beliefs and relationship with God are not tied to symbolic images, and he continues to learn from the situation. In a world where different people hold different beliefs, it is important to exercise empathy and respect for others.
