Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin appeared at Super Bowl LVII on Sunday night to help honor the medical professionals at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center who saved his life.
While he was celebrated inside State Farm Stadium after recovering from cardiac arrest, he was blasted online by a slew of people because of the jacket he had on.
Former star running back Adrian Peterson took issue with the 24-year-old’s jacket that depicted an image of Jesus Christ and a message on his right side, which read, “Without end or beginning there is no day and there is no night.” On the back of the jacket, it read “Eternal” with Jesus on the cross.
Peterson took issue with the way Jesus was portrayed on that jacket.
“You should be thanking God son! This is Blasphemy!! We all fall short but cmon man! I find this disrespectful!!” the former Minnesota Vikings star wrote on Instagram.
He added: “But this was different! I know young people don’t think at times, older as well! But with everything surrounding his situation!! This isn’t one of those moments where it’s a young guy not thinking!”
Hours later, Peterson would update his Instagram post after he spoke with the young safety.
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“So I spoke with [Damar], and we were able to discuss our thoughts as men. I want to be clear, I’m the last person to judge anyone, and that was never my intention,” Adrian wrote.
“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.”
Adrian then addressed Hamlin directly, writing … “Damar, I have respect and love for you and I wish you nothing but the best, but I just can’t rock with that jacket. I feel like there are a lot of people, young and old, looking up to you and with power and influence comes great responsibility. I apologize for offending you.”
Peterson continued, and ultimately ended his message with a peace offering of sorts, saying “After speaking with Damar, I have an understanding that it didn’t come from a place of ill intent! #grateful #god #forgiveness
At State Farm Stadium, Hamlin posed for a photo with LeBron James and was seen greeting Philadelphia Eagles running back Miles Sanders before the game.
