A performer in Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime show was detained on the field and is now banned from all NFL stadiums and events.
A spokesperson for the NFL confirmed via AP News that one of the 400 performers in Lamar’s triumphant Super Bowl show on Feb. 9 “hid” a combination Sudanese-Palestinian flag — with “Sudan” and “Gaza” written on it — up until the Halftime show.
As seen in fan captured footage, the performer stood on a car used as a prop for Lamar’s performance and held up the flag for a few seconds during Lamar’s performance of “TV Off.” The performer was not televised (though the flag did faintly appear in the background of other shots) but was chased off the car by another person before being tackled by three men in suits.
“No one involved with the production was aware of the individual’s intent,” said Brian McCarthy, the NFL’s Vice President of Communications. “The individual will (be) banned for life from all NFL stadiums and events.” The performer does not face any additional or criminal charges.
Representatives for Roc Nation and Apple Music, who produced Lamar’s performance, did not immediately return Variety‘s request for comment.
Additional people came to remove the performer from the field, grabbing onto his arms and legs to physically remove him. Video shows the person being dragged to the sidelines. The show continued without interruption.
This incident comes in the wake of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas that has seen the release of a number of Israeli hostages and hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.
From Variety US