Super Bowl halftime performer charged for running on field with ‘Sudan and Free Gaza’ flag

By AP 27 June 2025, 9:37 pm

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A protester holds Palestinian and Sudanese flags with the words 'Gaza' and 'Sudan' as US rapper Kendrick Lamar performs during the Super Bowl halftime show at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana, February 9, 2025. (Photo by Chandan Khanna / AFP)

A Super Bowl halftime show performer was charged yesterday with two misdemeanors, about 4 1/2 months after he ran across the field at the Superdome waving a flag that included the words “Sudan and Free Gaza,” Louisiana State Police say.

Zul-Qarnain Kwame Nantambu, 41, turned himself in to authorities to face charges of resisting a police officer and disturbing the peace by interrupting a lawful assembly, police say. He surrendered in coordination with his attorney and was booked into the Orleans Parish Justice Center.

Nantambu revealed the flag and ran on the field during rapper Kendrick Lamar’s halftime performance on Feb. 9. He was detained on the field after his demonstration but not charged. The NFL said at the time he would be banned for life from league stadiums and events.

According to a statement from police, Nantambu had been hired as an extra performer and “had permission to be on the field during the performance, but did not have permission to demonstrate as he did.”

NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy thanks investigators for their work.

“We take any attempt to disrupt any part of an NFL game, including the halftime show, very seriously and are pleased this individual will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law,” McCarthy says in a statement.