Adrian Peterson slams Bills safety Damar Hamlin over ‘blasphemy’ jacket drama

Damar Hamlin appeared at the Super Bowl weeks after his mid-game cardiac arrest – but one detail on his jacket infuriated a legend.

Damar Hamlin of the Buffalo Bill stands with the medical personnel that cared for him after he collapsed during a game on January 2, 2023 before Super Bowl LVII at State Farm Stadium on February 12, 2023 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Adrian Peterson reached out directly to Damar Hamlin after blasting the Bills safety’s Super Bowl jacket as “blasphemous” and “disrespectful.“

Peterson had written his thoughts on Hamlin’s jacket, which featured a crucifix on the back, on Instagram earlier this week, the New York Post reports.

Hamlin and the Bills medical team that saved his life were honoured before Sunday’s Super Bowl.

Updating the same post, the former star NFL running back wrote a new caption indicating that he’d talked to Hamlin about the matter.

“So I spoke with @d.ham3 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,” Peterson wrote.

“However, I do feel as if the jacket was disrespectful and it was something that I needed to share.

Watch Philadelphia Eagles v Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVII, LIVE on ESPN on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >

Adrian Peterson was fuming at the jacket. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)

“I do realise everyone makes mistakes and falls short at times, so again, my intention was never to judge, just to share my opinion.

“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,” Peterson said.

“I feel like there are a lot people, young and old, looking up to you and with power and influence comes great responsibility.

“I apologise for offending you, I just felt offended in that moment as a man who loves and respects our Lord and Savior, Yeshua.

“After speaking with Damar, I have an understanding that it didn’t come from a place of ill intent! #grateful #god #forgiveness.”

Hamlin responded to the drama with a Twitter post on Thursday morning (AEDT), accepting he now realises the jacket could be offensive.

The jacket Damar Hamlin wore to the Super Bowl. Pic: Supplied

The jacket Damar Hamlin wore to the Super Bowl. Pic: Supplied

“After talking with my parents I understand how my coat could have offended some people,” Hamlin wrote.

“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. I will learn from this and continue to walk in Love as I ALWAYS have.”

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)

— 𝐃𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐫 𝐇𝐚𝐦𝐥𝐢𝐧 (@HamlinIsland) February 15, 2023

Hamlin went into cardiac arrest after making a tackle on wide receiver Tee Higgins during a Week 17 “Monday Night Football” game between the Bills and Bengals.

He was administered CPR on the field and transported to the hospital. When the incident occurred, it was not clear that Hamlin would survive, let alone be out and about this soon.

“You should be thanking God son!” Peterson originally wrote in his Instagram caption about Hamlin’s Takashi Murakami “Travis Jesus” jacket.

“This is Blasphemy!! We all fall short but cmon man! I find this disrespectful!! #grateful #goddid”

- This article originally appeared on the New York Post and was republished with permission.

Originally published as Adrian Peterson slams Bills safety Damar Hamlin over ‘blasphemy’ jacket drama