Football safety Damar Hamlin explained why he chose to attend Super Bowl 57 wearing a controversial jacket. After facing backlash for wearing clothing with religious imagery, the Buffalo Bills safety took to Twitter on Wednesday to explain his perspective on the incident.

Hamlin was at Super Bowl 57 after miraculously recovering from cardiac arrest in Week 17. He was honored during the NFL Honors when he gave a surprise speech to honor the healthcare workers who helped him saved his life.

The jacket was criticized by seven-time Pro Bowl running back Adrian Peterson, who called it blasphemous and “disrespectful.”

Hamlin wore a varsity jacket designed by musician Travis Scott and artist Takashi Murakami for the Saint Michael company. On one side of the front is the phrase “Without beginning and end, there is neither day nor night”.

On the opposite side you can see the face of a Christ-like figure, with a crown of thorns. Murakami designed a necklace for Scott and used the same pattern for the face.

In addition to designing rapper Kanye West’s cover and collaborating on clothing with Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton in October, Japanese artist Murakami is known for his use of bright colors and abstract characters. The back of Hamlin’s jacket says “Eternal” and a crucified paper doll.

Because it had religious themes, Hamlin’s jacket caused some controversy, and former Minnesota Vikings running back Peterson had a lot to say about the plan.

In an Instagram post, Peterson described Hamlin’s fashion choices as blasphemy and a form of disrespect to the Supreme Being. “You should thank God, my son!” This is blasphemy!! We all fail, but come on, man! I find that disrespectful!!

In a comment on the site, former Jacksonville Jaguars star Fred Taylor advised Peterson to talk to Hamlin in person rather than criticizing him online.

Peterson appears to have followed the suggestions. He later edited his caption, deleting the first comment and adding that he spoke to Hamlin and gained insight into the circumstances.

“We were able to discuss our thoughts as men. I want to be clear: I am the last person to judge anyone and that was never my intention. However, I feel like the jacket was disrespectful and I needed to speak up. I realize that everyone makes mistakes and fails sometimes, so my intention was never to judge, just to share my opinion.

“…I feel like a lot of people, young and old, look up to you and with that power and influence comes great responsibility. I apologize for offending you. I just felt insulted at that moment as a man who loves and respects our Lord and Savior Yeshua. After talking to Damar, I understood that it was not a malicious intention!

Hamlin explained this in a tweet “After talking to my parents about it, I understand how my coat may have offended some people. I never intended to hurt or disrespect anyone, for me the coat is an abstract art. It says Forever and I am forever grateful to my Savior! »

Hamlin continued his statement about wearing the controversial jacket: “My faith and relationship with God are not tied to symbolic images,” he noted in another tweet. “I will learn from this and continue to walk in love as I have ALWAYS done.”

He also referenced Jesus Christ’s teaching to not judge others in Matthew 7:1-5. The Bible verse reads: “Judge not, or you will be judged also. “For as you judge others, you will also be judged; and with the same measure you use, it will be measured back to you.”