Damar Hamlin apologized for his ‘Eternal’ coat after criticism from former NFL star. The Bills safety wore the Takashi Murakami-designed jacket at this year’s Super Bowl.
Many fans were ecstatic to see Damar Hamlin fit and well at this year’s Super Bowl. The Bills safety suffered a cardiac arrest and collapsed during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals in January, leaving him in a critical condition.
Thankfully, Hamlin miraculously recovered and was able to attend the game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday. He was was honored during a pregame ceremony alongside the first responders and medical personnel who saved his life.
However, the jacket Damar Hamlin wore to the Super Bowl caused a stir online over its religious imagery.
What was the jacket he wore to the Super Bowl?
Damar Hamlin wore a blue varsity jacket designed by artist Takashi Murakami. The jacket is titled ‘Travis Jesus’ because it had previously been worn by rapper Travis Scott.
On the front the jacket has the message “Without end or beginning, there is no day and there is no night.” On the back is a Christ-like figure wearing a crown of thorns.
Damar Hamlin apologizes for ‘eternal’ coat after criticism
It has been referred to as Damar Hamlin’s ‘eternal’ coat because the back of the jacket is emblazoned with the word ‘Eternal’ above the doll-like figure being crucified.
After Hamlin wore the jacket, former NFL star running back Adrian Peterson blasted is as “blasphemy” and “disrespectful, although the pair have reportedly spoken about things privately and smoothed things over.
Following the controversy, Damar Hamlin apologized for his ‘eternal’ coat on Twitter, explaining the meaning behind the word.
‘After talking with my parents I understand how my coat could have offended some people,’ Hamlin wrote in a tweet. ‘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!’.
‘My beliefs and Relationship with God is not tied to symbolic images,’ he said in a follow up post. ‘I will learn from this and continue to walk in Love as I ALWAYS have.’
In his second tweet Damar also reference Matthew 7:1-5, a sermon from Jesus Christ about not judging others.
Per USA Today, part of the scripture reads: ‘Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.’
Hamlin was recently honored at NFL ceremony
Before the Super Bowl, Hamlin was awarded the NFLPA’s Alan Page Community Award at the annual NFL Honors ceremony.
“Every day I was amazed that my experience could encourage so many others, across the country and even across the world,” Hamlin said during his acceptance speech. “Encouraged to pray, encouraged to spread love and encouraged to keep fighting no matter the circumstances. …
“My entire life, I felt like God was using me to give others hope. Now with a new set of circumstances, I can only say He is doing what He has always done. I have a long journey ahead, a journey full of unknowns and a journey full of milestones. It’s a lot easier to face your fears when you know your purpose.”
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