The protester who disrupted Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl LVIII halftime show by displaying a combined Palestinian and Sudanese flag has been banned for life from all NFL stadiums and events, the league confirmed on Monday morning.
The individual, who was part of the 400-member field cast, smuggled the flag onto the field and unfurled it during Lamar’s performance at New Orleans. The incident occurred just after the rapper performed his chart-topping diss track Not Like Us, as he transitioned into his closing song, TV Off.
Videos of the incident show the protester standing on the hood of a Buick Grand National GNX, a nod to Lamar’s album, GNX. The flag had “Sudan” and “Gaza” written across the white sections, along with a heart symbol and a solidarity fist.
The NFL quickly condemned the unsanctioned demonstration, stating that no one involved with the production knew the protester’s intent.
“The individual will be banned for life from all NFL stadiums and events,” the league said in a statement.
Roc Nation also distanced itself from the act, confirming that it was not planned nor part of the production and that the individual had not rehearsed the stunt with the cast.
After holding up the flag, the protester attempted to flee the stage, jumping from the car and weaving through performers. Security tackled and handcuffed the individual before removing him from the field.
While the protester was detained, the New Orleans Police Department stated Monday that no formal arrests or charges have been filed at this time.
The moment quickly went viral, with fans sharing split opinions on the incident. Some praised the protester for bringing awareness to the humanitarian crises in Gaza and Sudan, while others criticized the disruption of one of the most-watched televised events in the world.
