A dancer from Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime show has been handed a lifetime ban, the NFL has confirmed.
Lamar took over the Caesars Superdome stage at halftime during the showdown between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles, delivering a breathtaking performance. The set featured special appearances from SZA, Samuel L. Jackson, Serena Williams, and DJ Mustard.
The 11-song spectacle, which included ‘Not Like Us’—Lamar’s Grammy-winning diss track aimed at Drake—has already surpassed 30 million views on the NFL’s official YouTube channel.
While Lamar censored several lyrics during the 13-minute set, he still made a direct reference to Drake. This comes amid an ongoing lawsuit involving Universal Music Group, which represents the Compton rapper.
However, Lamar’s performance sparked controversy when a man on stage held up a flag displaying the words “Gaza” and “Sudan,” an unmistakable reference to the ongoing conflicts.
Dressed identically to the other dancers, the individual stood atop the GNX car before leaping down and waving the flag.
Security quickly intervened, tackling him to the ground before escorting him out of the stadium. The NFL later addressed the incident in a statement, confirming that the individual would face a lifetime ban.
NFL issue statement
“We commend security for quickly detaining the individual who displayed the flag,” the league told UPI, according to Yahoo.
They clarified that the person in question was a part of the 400-member field cast and had concealed the flag until the final moments of the performance. “The individual hid the item on his person and unveiled it late in the show.”
The NFL also stated that no one involved in the production had prior knowledge of the protest. “No one involved with the production was aware of the individual’s intent. The individual will be banned for life from all NFL stadiums and events.”
A representative from Roc Nation, the company responsible for organizing the halftime show, confirmed that the protest was completely unsanctioned. They stated that the act was “neither planned nor part of the production and was never in any rehearsal.”
Meanwhile, the New Orleans Police Department acknowledged the incident, noting that security removed the protester from the premises but confirmed that no legal action would be taken. “No arrest nor summons was issued,” the department stated.
The demonstration occurred amid heightened political tensions following recent remarks from former U.S. President Donald Trump, who declared that the U.S. “will take over the Gaza Strip” and maintain “a long-term ownership position.”