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“Banned For Life”: Super Bowl Dancer Finds Out Punishment After Flag Stunt During Halftime Show
A Super Bowl protestor was permanently banned from any future NFL events after unfurling a Sudanese-Palestinian flag during a performance by Kendrick Lamar.
The man, identified by NBC News as Zul-Qarnain Nantambu, interrupted the show while the artist was doing a live rendition of Not Like Us, causing security personnel at the Caesars Superdome to move and detain him.
Highlights
- Dancer banned for life from NFL events after flag protest at Super Bowl halftime.
- Protester disrupted Kendrick Lamar's show with a Sudanese-Palestinian flag.
- NFL and Roc Nation denied any prior knowledge of protestor's actions.
- The man claimed his protest aimed to raise awareness on the situation in the Middle East.
While the NFL confirmed that Nantambu was part of the show’s field cast, the organization vehemently denied that his actions were known, or sanctioned by any member of the show’s production.
RELATED:
The NFL confirmed the permanent banning of a Kendrick Lamar dancer who unfurled a flag in protest at the Super Bowl
Image credits: Michael Owens/Getty Images
“The individual hid the item on his person and unveiled it late in the show. No one involved with the production was aware of the individual’s intent,” the organization’s statement read.
“The individual will be banned for life from all NFL stadiums and events.”
Image credits: NFL
Shortly after the flag was revealed, security personnel at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans quickly moved in, detaining the protestor and escorting him off the field in front of a packed stadium of approximately 83,000 fans.
Image credits: Mondoweiss
The incident occurred during what was otherwise an electrifying halftime show headlined by Lamar. Veteran actor Samuel L. Jackson kicked off the show dressed as “Uncle Sam,” setting the stage for the Compton rapper, who delivered an energetic 11-track set over 13 minutes.
Image credits: JoyousDemi
As Bored Panda previously reported, the show received mixed reviews by viewers who felt its sound quality was subpar, making understanding the rapper difficult.
“Literal snooze fest. I can’t understand a single word he is saying,” one viewer said. “Can’t hear a single word Kendrick is saying. Will this be the worst halftime show ever?
The show also had cameo appearances from tennis icon Serena Williams, as well as DJ Mustard.
The protestor defended his actions, believing the Super Bowl was the perfect stage to amplify his message
Image credits: Emilee Chinn/Getty Images
As for the protestor, he expressed no remorse over his actions in an interview with NBC, explaining that his stunt stemmed from his Islamic faith and a genuine desire to raise awareness about the situation in that area of the world.
“I know it would invigorate their faith, seeing somebody supporting them and thinking about them on such a grand stage to bring awareness to that, to their struggles,” Nantambu explained, believing Lamar’s show would be the perfect opportunity to amplify his message.
During the Super Bowl halftime show, a protester stormed the field waving a Palestinian and Sudanese flag, demanding the world’s attention on genocide and oppression. He was later tackled by security. pic.twitter.com/CYRdoTbOfC
— Mondoweiss (@Mondoweiss) February 10, 2025
“Maybe we don’t have the military prowess to stop the war, but we can at least do what we can to help those who are afflicted by these different atrocities in these countries.”
Both the NFL and Roc Nation, the company responsible for producing the halftime show, were quick to distance themselves from the protestor’s beliefs, emphasizing that his actions were neither planned nor sanctioned by any party involved with the event.
“So much for freedom of speech.” Users debated on the legitimacy of the protestor’s actions at an event like the Super Bowl
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What do you think ?
Cecil 9 months ago
So tired of people not understanding that freedom of speech refers to the First Amendment which protects you from being persecuted by the government. It doesn't protect you from your neighbors judging you. Nor from your supermarket asking you to leave. Nor from being fired. BUT you won't be flayed for saying the king is a loser.
Blah Blah Blah 9 months ago
Not anymore... Trump is taking us down a slippery slope that's not going to be pretty for anyone unless you're a sis white christian who's born male, oh you also will need to have unfathomable wealth. Everyone else is f****d!
Load More Replies...
John G 9 months ago
I’m willing to bet that if he unfurled a Trump flag the reaction would be completely opposite.
SlightlyTarnished 9 months ago
The guy was part of the cast, so I assume he was being paid to dance. If he decides to unfurl a flag in protest while being on the clock, that's on him.. There is no infringement on freedom of speech.
Kevin Hickey 9 months ago
Freedom of Speech has nothing to do with this. It was a private event. When you purchase a ticket, you agree to terms and conditions.
claire schultheiss 9 months ago
while people are argueing over him, kanye had a superbowl ad directing people to his website to buy a swastika shirt so...
tori Ohno 9 months ago
I didn't notice this happening at all. I was too busy being annoyed by the worst halftime show I've ever seen.
Rocket Surgeon 9 months ago
"You know that thing you'll probably never have the chance to do again anyway? Yeah you're BANNED from it."
David 9 months ago
I mean he broke several laws, violated the terms of his ticket purchase, tried to make a sporting event about his personal politics, etc. Stop trying to make him into a hero, especially when one of the X sources you show is a site that has literally had Neo-Nazis and Holocaust deniers write for them, and has hundreds of articles pushing "jews control the world" type conspiracies.
Inglourioustmnt 9 months ago
First amendment and freedom of speech? Its private property and a private event. First amendment and freedom of speech do not apply here. My god the American education system is so bad.
Kamdyn Casarella 8 months ago
and i also agree with the coment talking about this being a fee contrey and then he is getting and for life for doing something like that this is making it sound like we don't live in a free country when we rilley do
Kamdyn Casarella 8 months ago
and i also agree with the comment that is talking about freedom of speech and that is one of the rights that America gave us was freedom of speech so I don't know why when he was using one of the rights that he had would get him band for life I just dint think that that is far
Kamdyn Casarella 8 months ago
and i also agree with the coment that says he was just making a statement because that all he was doing was making a state meant about what is going on and that it should change bc every one should be treated the same way no matter what
Kamdyn Casarella 8 months ago
and i also agree witht he coment that says all he was trying to do was send a message to the world and that he did so I don't know why it was such a big deal
Kamdyn Casarella 8 months ago
i dont get why this is such a big deal one it is his preforminse and they let him come on and perform so he should of ben able to do what he wanted to and yes I think that there should be rules about it but I don't think that he should of gotten band for life when all he was doing was trying to tell the hole world a message and two I don't think that he should of been the one that was banned because of what his dansers did and I don't understand what he did to get banned all I got out of it was that his dancers did stuff to get banned and 3erd I don't get why they want us to tell the truth all the time and express are opinions and say what we think and he was doing just that and he got banned for it and lately I don't git why the dis on drake got him in so much trouble whe drake did the same thing back to him. so I do not think he should have gotten banned for life
Kamdyn Casarella 8 months ago
i think that he was tring to pass out a message that he thought the world should know but I don't get the big deal about him doing that so I don't know why they band him for life I think that that was messed up and not what they should have done
El Dee 9 months ago
I get that the participants in the shows have to abide by the rules but banning him from everything forever? Maybe a slight overreaction??
Jane Doe 9 months ago
I agree. But with social media, everyone will know his name and the event coordinators and stadium security will have to put him on a "look out for this guy" list. S It's easier for him to "ban him for life." They made it easier for the music people side. They aren't allowed to bring him. So they won't have to deal with him saying he's not being hired because of his political beliefs.
Load More Replies...
TotallyNOTAFox 9 months ago
People are aware of that but what is the world supposed to do, march in and force peace? Helping the palestines or african countries always turned out to be a hopeless endeavor without change from within
Ben Aziza 9 months ago
Ppl will ignore you and dig their head in the sand and keep pushing this "Poor colonized helpless people" it is not their fault... As one born in that area this sounds to me like "Ohh those lesser subhumans people of color can only do as we tell them to do as we are superior. That is why they can't be blamed for all the evil cult s**t going on there" At the end of the day it is the responsibility of the people in the Middle East to rise up against these zealots fuling this 1000+ year war. This "tolerance" and high jacked "empathy" and "compassion" serves only to fuel these cults. Baffeling to me how ppl here keep saying how woman are oppressed in the USA and openly support Islam where both women and men are opressed even more... And Judaism in Israel is not excluded for that btw... Same evil cult s**t that is tolerated for god knows why...
Load More Replies...
Schnitzel 9 months ago
I think we should talk about how girls and women are being treated in India.
Load More Replies...
PenguinEmp 9 months ago
I'm sorry what? Cult driven conflict? No no no. Im sorry but Klingon a thousand people, raping women kids andesving the to die, hostages all for going to a concert.
Load More Replies... Cecil 9 months ago
So tired of people not understanding that freedom of speech refers to the First Amendment which protects you from being persecuted by the government. It doesn't protect you from your neighbors judging you. Nor from your supermarket asking you to leave. Nor from being fired. BUT you won't be flayed for saying the king is a loser.
Blah Blah Blah 9 months ago
Not anymore... Trump is taking us down a slippery slope that's not going to be pretty for anyone unless you're a sis white christian who's born male, oh you also will need to have unfathomable wealth. Everyone else is f****d!
Load More Replies... John G 9 months ago
I’m willing to bet that if he unfurled a Trump flag the reaction would be completely opposite.
SlightlyTarnished 9 months ago
The guy was part of the cast, so I assume he was being paid to dance. If he decides to unfurl a flag in protest while being on the clock, that's on him.. There is no infringement on freedom of speech.
Kevin Hickey 9 months ago
Freedom of Speech has nothing to do with this. It was a private event. When you purchase a ticket, you agree to terms and conditions.
claire schultheiss 9 months ago
while people are argueing over him, kanye had a superbowl ad directing people to his website to buy a swastika shirt so...
tori Ohno 9 months ago
I didn't notice this happening at all. I was too busy being annoyed by the worst halftime show I've ever seen.
Rocket Surgeon 9 months ago
"You know that thing you'll probably never have the chance to do again anyway? Yeah you're BANNED from it."
David 9 months ago
I mean he broke several laws, violated the terms of his ticket purchase, tried to make a sporting event about his personal politics, etc. Stop trying to make him into a hero, especially when one of the X sources you show is a site that has literally had Neo-Nazis and Holocaust deniers write for them, and has hundreds of articles pushing "jews control the world" type conspiracies.
Inglourioustmnt 9 months ago
First amendment and freedom of speech? Its private property and a private event. First amendment and freedom of speech do not apply here. My god the American education system is so bad.
Kamdyn Casarella 8 months ago
and i also agree with the coment talking about this being a fee contrey and then he is getting and for life for doing something like that this is making it sound like we don't live in a free country when we rilley do
Kamdyn Casarella 8 months ago
and i also agree with the comment that is talking about freedom of speech and that is one of the rights that America gave us was freedom of speech so I don't know why when he was using one of the rights that he had would get him band for life I just dint think that that is far
Kamdyn Casarella 8 months ago
and i also agree with the coment that says he was just making a statement because that all he was doing was making a state meant about what is going on and that it should change bc every one should be treated the same way no matter what
Kamdyn Casarella 8 months ago
and i also agree witht he coment that says all he was trying to do was send a message to the world and that he did so I don't know why it was such a big deal
Kamdyn Casarella 8 months ago
i dont get why this is such a big deal one it is his preforminse and they let him come on and perform so he should of ben able to do what he wanted to and yes I think that there should be rules about it but I don't think that he should of gotten band for life when all he was doing was trying to tell the hole world a message and two I don't think that he should of been the one that was banned because of what his dansers did and I don't understand what he did to get banned all I got out of it was that his dancers did stuff to get banned and 3erd I don't get why they want us to tell the truth all the time and express are opinions and say what we think and he was doing just that and he got banned for it and lately I don't git why the dis on drake got him in so much trouble whe drake did the same thing back to him. so I do not think he should have gotten banned for life
Kamdyn Casarella 8 months ago
i think that he was tring to pass out a message that he thought the world should know but I don't get the big deal about him doing that so I don't know why they band him for life I think that that was messed up and not what they should have done
El Dee 9 months ago
I get that the participants in the shows have to abide by the rules but banning him from everything forever? Maybe a slight overreaction??
Jane Doe 9 months ago
I agree. But with social media, everyone will know his name and the event coordinators and stadium security will have to put him on a "look out for this guy" list. S It's easier for him to "ban him for life." They made it easier for the music people side. They aren't allowed to bring him. So they won't have to deal with him saying he's not being hired because of his political beliefs.
Load More Replies... TotallyNOTAFox 9 months ago
People are aware of that but what is the world supposed to do, march in and force peace? Helping the palestines or african countries always turned out to be a hopeless endeavor without change from within
Ben Aziza 9 months ago
Ppl will ignore you and dig their head in the sand and keep pushing this "Poor colonized helpless people" it is not their fault... As one born in that area this sounds to me like "Ohh those lesser subhumans people of color can only do as we tell them to do as we are superior. That is why they can't be blamed for all the evil cult s**t going on there" At the end of the day it is the responsibility of the people in the Middle East to rise up against these zealots fuling this 1000+ year war. This "tolerance" and high jacked "empathy" and "compassion" serves only to fuel these cults. Baffeling to me how ppl here keep saying how woman are oppressed in the USA and openly support Islam where both women and men are opressed even more... And Judaism in Israel is not excluded for that btw... Same evil cult s**t that is tolerated for god knows why...
Load More Replies... Schnitzel 9 months ago
I think we should talk about how girls and women are being treated in India.
Load More Replies... PenguinEmp 9 months ago
I'm sorry what? Cult driven conflict? No no no. Im sorry but Klingon a thousand people, raping women kids andesving the to die, hostages all for going to a concert.
Load More Replies...
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