Super Bowl halftime performer detained after unfurling Sudanese-Palestinian flag
A performer in Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime show was detained late Sunday after showing a Sudanese-Palestinian flag on the field.
The NFL confirmed to The Associated Press that the individual will be “banned for life from all NFL stadiums and events.”
The New Orleans Police Department also said authorities were “working to determine applicable charges in this incident.”
NOPD said in a statement to The Hill that the individual detained, an adult Black male, “was ejected from the stadium after the incident.”
“No arrest nor summons was issued,” NOPD added. “As such, the individual will not be identified.”
NOPD also said it will be working with the NFL and the halftime production team to “ascertain any affiliation” the individual may have had with Lamar’s performance.
The individual stood on a prop car used in the performance and unfurled a combination flag with the words “Sudan” and “Gaza” written on it.
The NFL told the AP that the performer hid the flag during the beginning of the show and revealed it late in the performance. No one involved in production reportedly knew of his plans.
The performance continued without major disruption and the flag didn’t appear to be shown in the live broadcast of Lamar’s halftime show, the AP noted.
The Hill has also reached out to the NFL for comment.
Lamar’s performance highlighted some of his biggest hits and featured SZA and Samuel L. Jackson, with the actor dressed as Uncle Sam.
The Philadelphia Eagles beat the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22.
Updated at 11:24 a.m. EST
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
