Zul-Qarnain Kwame Nantambu, a 41-year-old performer, was recently arrested following his protest during the Super Bowl LIX halftime show at the Superdome in New Orleans. Although he was not arrested at the time of the incident, the Louisiana State Police have now charged him with resisting an officer and disturbing the peace by interrupting a lawful assembly.
During the halftime performance, Nantambu displayed Palestinian and Sudanese flags in a public act of protest. This act was deemed a serious disruption by authorities and the NFL, despite his having authorized access to the field. His deviation from his assigned role led to his ejection from the event and a lifetime ban from attending any future NFL games.
Performer Arrested After Super Bowl Protest with Flags, Banned for Life from NFL EventsNFL Commends Police, Emphasizes Zero Tolerance for Game and Halftime Disruptions
The NFL responded strongly to the protest. Chief spokesperson Brian McCarthy praised the Louisiana State Police for their handling of the case and emphasized the league’s commitment to ensuring that all aspects of its events, including halftime performances, remain orderly and undisturbed. The NFL has framed Nantambu’s actions as a significant breach of protocol that warranted legal consequences.
Adding an unusual twist to the situation, Nantambu has claimed to be the individual targeted by Antonio Brown during a shooting incident at a boxing match in Miami this past May. This separate claim introduces an additional layer of controversy to Nantambu’s public profile, though it is unrelated to the Super Bowl protest and subsequent arrest.
