Damar Hamlin’s appearance on the sidelines of the Super Bowl did not cause joy everywhere. Former star running back Adrian Peterson, among others, criticised the 24-year-old for a Jesus image on his jacket.

This was certainly planned differently. Damar Hamlin’s performance before the Super Bowl has caused some criticism.

What happened.

Hamlin was part of the tribute to the emergency personnel who saved his life after he collapsed in cardiac arrest in the game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

For the occasion, the 24-year-old wore a jacket by Japanese artist Takashi Murakami that featured, among other things, an abstract version of Jesus on the cross.

Blasphemy accusation by Peterson

The controversy erupted online when the safety posted a video of himself with Miles Sanders of the Philadelphia Eagles from before the game.

Running back legend Adrian Peterson posted a picture of the jacket and accused Hamlin of blasphemy: “You should thank God, son! That’s blasphemy!!! We all make mistakes, but come on man! I think it’s disrespectful!”

The young safety received support from former running back Fred Taylor, who replied to Peterson: “You should write him Bro…. I’m sure he’ll listen to your opinion. Posting that doesn’t help anybody. He’s young, young people don’t always think before they put stuff on, like people putting on skulls or other stuff that doesn’t agree with the Christian faith. Try to reach him.”

Peterson seems to have taken Taylor’s words to heart. On Instagram, he stated that he had spoken with Hamlin and shared thoughts.

Hamlin actually a professing Christian

He still feels offended by the jacket, but understands that it was not Hamlin’s intention to hurt feelings.

The latter had already stated under the original video that he understood the jacket to be an artistic homage to Christianity, but apologised to dissenters.

The 24-year-old, who had been in the media spotlight since his cardiac arrest, had repeatedly emphasised his deep Christian faith and thanked God for saving his life.