Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin has taken to Twitter in an attempt to put to bed any controversy regarding a jacket he wore during Super Bowl LVII:
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)
— (@HamlinIsland) February 15, 2023
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
— (@HamlinIsland) February 15, 2023
Hamlin, who nearly lost his life when he went into cardiac arrest during a "Monday Night Football" game on Jan. 2, and medical professionals who helped keep him alive were honored ahead of the Super Bowl LVII matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles. Per TMZ Sports, the 24-year-old rocked a jacket that "featured a crucifix with an altered Jesus head on it" at State Farm Stadium.
All-time great running back Adrian Peterson generated headlines when he blasted Hamlin's outfit choice as "blasphemy" on Instagram. Peterson later wrote on the social media website that he spoke with Hamlin and now had "an understanding that (the jacket) didn’t come from a place of ill intent."
Jordon Rooney, Hamlin's marketing representative and friend, told Ryan Glasspiegel of the New York Post he's displeased with how Peterson has handled the situation dating back to this past Sunday.
"Adrian Peterson has apologized several times to Damar and chose to keep his post up," Rooney explained. "He knows the public controversy he caused but only chose to take his words back privately."
Rooney also mentioned the "controversial situations" that have hovered over Peterson throughout the years.
The NFL suspended Peterson in the fall of 2014 over what the league called "an incident of abusive discipline" of his then-4-year-old son. It was learned last February that Peterson would not face felony charges following an alleged domestic violence matter involving the future Hall of Famer and his wife at Los Angeles International Airport.
"Damar knows his faith and knows that this doesn’t define his faith but is open to learning and working towards creating a better understanding of everyone’s views and perspective," Rooney continued. "He will continue to use his platform to spread positivity and give back."
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