A dancer in Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl halftime show was detained after unfurling a Sudanese-Palestinian flag. (Video)
A background dancer in US rapper Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime show was detained after unfurling a Palestinian flag with the words “Gaza” and “Sudan” written on it during the performance.
According to the report, the man, who was part of a 400-member field cast, was dressed in black like the other performers and concealed the flag until the final moments of the show, the National Football League (NFL) said in a statement.
We commend security for quickly detaining the individual who displayed the flag, the NFL said. However, no one involved in the production was aware of the individual's intent.
During Lamar's final song, TV Off, the performer was standing on the back of a black Grand National car that was featured throughout the set at the time of the incident.
After the flag was unfurled, the man jumped off the stage and ran across the field for about 20 seconds before being tackled and taken away by security.
The New Orleans Police Department is currently in the process of determining the applicable charges for the person who was a part of the 400-member field cast.
According to a statement by NFL spokesperson Brian McCarthy, the individual will be banned from all NFL stadiums and events for life.
The NFL added that “the individual hid the item on his person and unveiled it late in the show” and that "no one involved with the production was aware of the individual’s intent.”
According to Roc Nation, the entertainment company that produced the show, the performance was not planned or part of the production and was not a part of any rehearsals.
Lamar's performance was not interrupted during the show, and the performer was not seen in the broadcast.
Kendrick Lamar set a record by becoming the first solo hip-hop artist to headline the coveted slot.
On stage, the rapper was introduced by Actor Samuel L. Jackson dressed as Uncle Sam.
A man performing during the Kendrick Lamar halftime concert at #SuperBowl LIX unfurled a Palestinian flag and was chased off stage and finally tackled and removed by security. #SBLIX #Palestine pic.twitter.com/sU8jl1eyE3
— Diya TV (@DiyaTV) February 10, 2025
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