A performer in Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime show was detained after he unfurled a combined Palestinian and Sudanese flag during the performance.
The NFL confirmed Monday morning to USA TODAY that the person was part of the 400-member field cast and had hidden the flag on himself before the halftime show began Sunday night.
‘No one involved with the production was aware of the individual’s intent,’ the league said in a statement. ‘The individual will banned for life from all NFL stadiums and events.’
The protester, who has not been identified, was seen displaying the flag after Lamar’s performance of his chart-topping diss track “Not Like Us.” Images and video show that “Sudan” and “Gaza” were written on the white sections of the flags, along with a heart and a solidarity fist.
Protester with Palestinian, Sudanese flag was halftime show performer
The individual, who was wearing black sweats matching those on stage, could be seen among dozens of dancers in red, white, blue and black. The now-infamous moment occurred after Lamar’s performance of ‘Not Like Us’ as the rapper launched into his final song, ‘TV Off.’
NFL STATS CENTRAL: The latest NFL scores, schedules, odds, stats and more.
The protester bearing the flag could be seen standing on the hood of a Buick Grand National GNX, the vehicle behind the name of Lamar’s latest album, ‘GNX,’ that served as a central prop in the halftime show performance.
The moment gained significant attention on social media, where videos showed the individual jumping from the car and fleeing the stage while still displaying the flag. Security eventually tackled the man, handcuffed him and removed him from the field.
Roc Nation, the entertainment company behind the halftime show, said in a statement that ‘the act by the individual was neither planned nor part of the production and was never in any rehearsal.’
The NFL referred further questions to New Orleans police, who on Monday told USA TODAY that the individual has not been formally arrested or charged.
The Super Bowl and you: Sign up for USA TODAY’s Sports newsletter for more post-game updates.
Protest follows Trump’s Gaza proposal
The game took place after Trump last week called for the U.S. to take over the Gaza Strip and relocate roughly 2 million Palestinians to neighboring Arab countries amid the prolonged war with Israel. As part of the proposal, which represents a major shift in Middle East policy, Trump did not rule out sending U.S. troops in Gaza to secure the territory.
Meanwhile, immigrants from Sudan, where a Civil War is raging, are among those to whom the Biden administration extended temporary protections in January before Trump took office. Trump has vowed to end temporary protected status for immigrants from some countries.
Kendrick Lamar makes historic rap performance
The performance marked the first time that a rap star had been the solo headliner of a Super Bowl halftime show.
Lamar, 37, previously performed during the Super Bowl in 2022 as part of a lineup with Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem and Mary J. Blige.
With Samuel L. Jackson, clad in a full Uncle Sam outfit and top hat, acting as a moderator, The Grammy- and Pulitzer-winning rapper was also briefly joined by R&B performer SZA. Lamar also brought out Drake’s ex, tennis legend Serena Williams, during his controversial Grammy-winning song “Not Like Us” – the lyrics of which target Drake.
Lamar’s performance comes a week after he earned five more Grammy Awards – the most of any artist at the 2025 ceremony – and increased his career tally to 22. The performance also follows the surprise release of Lamar’s sixth album in November as he prepares to embark on a tour with SZA kicking off April 19 in Minneapolis.
This article has been updated to add new information.