Dancer ‘banned for life’ after Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl half-time show breaks his silence

The dancer reportedly hit with a lifetime ban after holding up a flag during Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl performance has broken his silence.

On Sunday night, the Philadelphia Eagles stunned the Kansas City Chiefs as they came out 40-22 winners inside the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana.

During the half-time interval, Lamar came out to perform in front of an expectant crowd.

The 37-year-old performed hits such as 'Not Like Us' and 'HUMBLE' and was joined by SZA and tennis legend Serena Williams.

However, footage later showed a man holding up a flag which had the words 'Gaza' and 'Sudan' on it.

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.

"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."

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".

Kendrick Lamar Super Bowl half-time show dancer breaks silence

The individual, Zül-Qarnain Nantambu, has now spoken about the incident.

He told Al Jazeera: "The risk of a ban? I was afraid I was going to get sniped by a Secret Service bullet.

"I can watch a football programme on the television if I choose to, sir."

Zul-Qarnain Nantambu, the Super Bowl halftime performer who staged a protest with the flags of Palestine and Sudan, told Al Jazeera why he felt he had to act. pic.twitter.com/Q80wMYh7Uv

— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) February 11, 2025

Nantambu added: "I thought that I could contribute to taking it to the next level with this activism and protest and enlightenment to make other people aware of whats going on in other parts of the world.

"A lot of people didn't know what's going on in Gaza, what's going on in Sudan and they feel like they're not being represented properly. So I had the opportunity to represent them on a global scale and I had to take that opportunity.

"Just even to get the prayers of the people. Just to get the prayers of Palestinians to the Sudanese."