Damar Hamlin Clears The Air On Super Bowl Crucifix Jacket After Backlash

Damar Hamlin has apologized after getting dragged for a recent fashion choice.

The Buffalo Bills' safety had worn a white and blue letterman jacket with yellow designs and wordings that some observers, including Adrian Peterson, found offensive to their religion to Sunday night's Super Bowl.

The backlash caused Hamlin to apologize on his social media page, promising to do better. Subsequently, his apology gave rise to fans praising him for being the bigger person, especially after he got a second chance at life earlier this month.

Hamlin's jacket — created by Takashi Murakami and called "Travis Jesus" — featured a rendition of the crucifix on the back etched in yellow. Upon seeing it, Petersen, a devout Christian, went on Twitter to share his disappointment at the Bills' player's choice of clothing. Without holding back, the free agent tweeted:

"You should be thanking God son! This is Blasphemy!! We all fall short but cmon man! I find this disrespectful!! #grateful #goddid"

A few hours after some people asked him to have a conversation with Hamlin, Peterson put out an Instagram post that suggested that things had changed. The pro football running back's caption partly read:

"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."

He admitted that even though he had to address his disappointment at the outfit, he understood that "everyone makes mistakes and falls short at times," so it was never his plan "to judge, just to share my opinion."

Peterson then sent a direct message at Hamlin, highlighting the "respect and love" he has for the 24-year-old and wished him "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," the caption finished.

Now, days after, Hamlin has publicly addressed the issue, noting how a talk with his parents, Nina and Mario, helped him realize his faults. "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)," he tweeted.

The footballer added that his "beliefs and Relationship with God" were not attached to "symbolic images." Despite that, he was willing to "learn from this and continue to walk in Love" as he "ALWAYS" has.

"Stand tall you have shown the world your faithfulness … continue focusing on your recovery 🙏🏻," model Larsen Thompson replied. A fan added, "I love that you're not ashamed of your faith. You are still here for a reason. There was no mistake in that."

A third person acknowledged that although Hamlin owed no one an apology, the player's "willingness to explain the situation" from his "side of the equation" showed how much he cared about others. The supporter concluded by asking the six-foot celeb to "Keep fighting the good fight!!!"

Over the weekend, the NFL honored Hamlin and his medical team ahead of the Super Bowl playoffs. The event began with Bills legend Jim Kelly and actress Sheryl Lee Ralph introducing the medical staff of the Buffalo Bills and the Cincinnati Bengals and University of Cincinnati Health Center employees on stage. 

The two teams had successfully tended to the safety during his time at their respective facilities, per The Blast. While the crowd had cheered for them earlier, the applause became louder when Ralph asked Hamlin to join the groups on stage.

During his acceptance speech, he showed appreciation to "God for even being here" before pointing out how amazed he was that people could be encouraged by his experience to pray, spread love, and "keep fighting no matter the circumstances."

You would recall that Hamlin had suffered a cardiac arrest during a Monday Football Night game, causing trained officials to give him CPR before he was rushed to the hospital. He was discharged after nine days following admission at the two hospitals mentioned above.

He has continued to update his fans on his recovery process through his social media accounts.