A dancer who was part of Kendrick Lamar’s half-time performance at the Super Bowl has been with with a lifetime ban, the NFL have confirmed.
Lamar graced the Caesars Superdome stage at the halfway mark of the clash between Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles and produced a stunning performance, featuring cameos from SZA, Samuel L. Jackson, Serena Williams and DJ Mustard.
The 11-song performance, which saw ‘Kdot’ rap the Grammy-award winning ‘Not Like Us’ diss track to rival Drake, has eclipsed 30 million views on the official NFL YouTube channel.
However, when Lamar performed the track, there was controversy as a man on stage held up a flag with the words “Gaza” and “Sudan” in a clear reference to the ongoing conflict.
The individual, wearing the same attire as the other dancers, was standing on the GNX car on the stage before jumping down and waving the flag.
He was brought to the ground by onrushing security and escorted from the stadium, with the NFL issuing a statement on the matter and confirming a lifetime ban will be enforced.
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A dancer was arrested for unfurling the pro-Palestine flag. Image: Getty
NFL issue statement
“We commend security for quickly detaining the individual who displayed the flag,” the NFL said to UPI, as per Yahoo.
“He was part of the 400-member field cast. 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 individual will be banned for life from all NFL stadiums and events.”
A representative for Roc Nation, who organise the Super Bowl half-time show, say the act from the pro-Palestine protester was “neither planned nor part of the production and was never in any rehearsal”.
Meanwhile, the New Orleans Police Department confirmed the ejection from security but that he will face no further charges as “no arrest nor summons was issued”.
The political statement comes after US president Donald Trump said the country “will take over the Gaza Strip” with “a long-term ownership position”.
