Kendrick Lamar Super Bowl halftime show protest: Everything we know so far

During the halftime show at the 2025 Super Bowl in New Orleans last night, a backing dancer for Kendrick Lamar staged a protest some may have missed on the TV broadcast.

One of the performers who was part of the cast and dancing atop the GNX vehicle on the stage during the “tv off” finale raised a flag with a heart next to Sudan and and a fist next to Gaza.

The performer was tackled while on the field and detained following his actions. Here is more about what we know, including his involvement with Lamar (via USA TODAY):

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 performer was affiliated with the performance, and not a random individual from the crowd. But according to the NFL, “no one” from the production knew what the individual planned to do.

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It was not a part of any of the rehearsals for the performance, per Roc Nation.

As of right now, the individual was not arrested or charged with any crime. They were not trespassing as they were a part of the cast:

“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.”

Even though the individual is banned from all future NFL events, per the AP, law enforcement is trying to “determine applicable charges” before there are any other further measures taken.