Super Bowl LIX halftime performer arrested over 'Free Gaza' flag disruption during show
Louisiana police arrested a performer from the Super Bowl LIX halftime show who they said held up a flag stating 'Sudan and Free Gaza' during Kendrick's Lamar performance.
New Orleans resident Zul-Qarnain Kwame Nantambu, 41, voluntarily turned himself over to authorities after a warrant was issued for his arrest following a four month investigation, state police said.
4 Zul-Qarnain Kwame Nantambu was arrested by Louisiana State Police on Thursday.
@fff_zulqarnain/Instagram
Nantambu was charged with resisting an officer and disturbing the peace by interruption of a lawful assembly following a lengthy investigation into his alleged involvement in the brief halftime show protest.
He was booked in the Orleans Parish Justice Center, according to a press release from the Louisiana State Police.
Nantambu also claimed in May that he was shot by the ever-controversial ex-NFL wide receiver Antonio Brown after a fight broke out at a boxing event in Miami. Brown is currently wanted on an attempted murder charge and may have fled the country.
4 Nantambu claimed that ex-NFL star Antonio brown fired two shots at him during a fight in May.
x/ONLYinDADE
The lengthy investigation headed by the Pelican State's police force determined that Nantambu 'deviated from his assigned role' during the halftime show by running across the field with the flag, according to the release.
He juked out multiple members of security and law enforcement while on the field before he was eventually carried away, according to videos captured by the audience.
Nantambu was banned from NFL stadiums and events for life, but not formally charged immediately following his stunt.
4 Brown is wanted for alleged murder.
MEGA
'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,' NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said in a statement.
In May, Nantambu claimed Brown shot at him twice when the two engaged in a physical altercation at the Miami boxing event. He alleged that Brown slugged him in the face and grazed his neck with a bullet.
'I'm feeling this burning sensation on my neck. I thank God I'm not murdered. God spared me from getting shot in the face,' Nantambu said.
4 Nantambu claimed he has known Brown since 2022.
REUTERS
Nantambu said he has known Brown since 2022, the same year he filed a lawsuit against the former Tampa Bay Buccaneers player for allegedly stealing a pendant he designed.
Brown, meanwhile, claimed that he was fighting off robbers who tried to snatch his jewelry when he pulled out his gun during the fight.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
Breakout Watch: PFF identifies two Cowboys who should surpass expectations in 2025
Pro Football Focus' NFL Show recently moved team by team through the NFL, naming at least one player from each franchise who is poised for a breakout season in 2025. As is often the case (and the goal) of shows like this, the hosts disagreed on who should be selected from the Dallas Cowboys' roster. In this instance, both come from the offensive side of the ball. The first player earned high praise from his days in college to his time in Dallas. The second from his early career work that has been derailed by injury. Dalton Wasserman pointed to second-year player Cooper Beebe as the Cowboys breakout player to watch. If he ascends to levels predicted, the Cowboys offense could elevate to all new levels this coming season. Trevor Sikkema respectfully disagreed, naming a far more controversial player and far less impactful player instead; Javonte Williams. Wasserman called Beebe the best guard in college football his last two seasons at Kansas State. It's a decree in which many scouts agree and if it wasn't for his non-elite athletic testing and underwhelming measurables, he would have been atop far more boards in the draft. Beebe, named OG3 on Dane Brugler's Beast, slipped to the Cowboys in the third round. It would have made perfect sense for the Cowboys to use him at guard, but they theorized that a move inside to center, a position he'd never played, would cancel out any concern surrounding his physical measurables. Wasserman points out Beebe's inexperience inside at center and highlights the learning curve Beebe established in Year 1. After surendering two sacks in his first two games Beebe would only allow one more sack all season at his new position. He was called a possible 'anchor.' Williams, signed in free agency, is an early favorite to take the field as RB1 in Week 1. While that may sound like an endorsement for his skills it's more of an indictment on the Cowboys handling of the position group. There are no clear favorites to win the job, and every day looks more and more like it will be RB-by committee in 2025. Sikkema admits he's been looking for Williams to breakout for a while now, likening the situation to Kyle Pitts in Atlanta. He also points to Williams' declining numbers in yards after contact each year in the league. Williams was a tough sell for the PFF host since it seemed like even he didn't believe and predictions of a breakout season might be rooted in ancient draft projection rather than current NFL performance. Beebe stands to be the more realistic breakout player, as well as the more impactful option. Offensive linemen don't normally rotate plays on offense meaning they stand to impact every snap in both phases of the game. The most snaps Williams has ever taken in his career is 574 snaps, a mark set just last year. With any luck both players will post career seasons for the Cowboys. Beebe's situation between two young first rounders looks as stable as one could hope for and Williams' situation in the RB room points to a committee where no one should be asked to contribute more than they can handle. You can follow Reid on X @ReidDHanson and be sure to follow Cowboys Wire on Facebook to join in on the conversation with fellow fans!
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Average GPA of Texas Longhorns Players Under Steve Sarkisian Turns Heads
Average GPA of Texas Longhorns Players Under Steve Sarkisian Turns Heads originally appeared on Athlon Sports. From the outside looking in, fans and analysts alike could not fathom how a program like Texas fell off the face of the earth like it did throughout the 2010s. Advertisement It's one of the biggest brands in college football, resides in a talent-rich recruiting hotbed and historically is one of the most winningest programs. However, when head coach Steve Sarkisian took over before the 2021 season after Tom Herman was fired, he quickly came to the realization of what was going wrong. As revealed on "3rd and Longhorn," the former Alabama offensive coordinator only needed the spring to come to the conclusion that Texas had a "culture problem." The team at the time had a 2.33 GPA, zero players drafted into the NFL and went 5-7. Fast forward to this past season, the Longhorns posted a program record 3.27 GPA and a slew of successes, which Sarkisian highlighted, in addition to surpassing the program's record GPA again. "Going into this past season, we had a 3.27 team GPA," Sarkisian revealed. "We go 13-3, we're in the SEC Championship game we have 12 guys drafted, three first rounders. This past spring we have a 3.31 team GPA. So it's like amazing how our wins have increased, our draft picks have increased, but our GPA's gone up." Advertisement An accomplishment that many fans made sure to applaud the head coach for. "Saban built him right," wrote one fan. "Sign Sark to a lifetime contract IDC what it takes," commented a second. "Thank goodness I'm glad UT is starting to care," said another. "That's facts how you act off of the field will reflect how you play on the field," implored one commenter. Texas Head Coach Steve Sarkisian.© Sara Diggins/American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Certainly quite the step up from Sarkisian's first season, where he revealed the players simply weren't bought in. "I remember going to the staff saying, 'We have a culture problem.' I said 'We have entitled players who don't take accountability, who are selfish, who don't serve others, couldn't care less about the university itself..." Advertisement With the team's GPA rising again, the trend under Sarkisian suggests the Longhorns could be poised for a huge season with new quarterback Arch Manning at the helm. Only time will tell if it continues, but it is clear that the culture shift under Sarkisian has had an enormous impact. Related: Jon Gruden Sends Strong Arch Manning Message at Manning Passing Academy This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 29, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Eagles Ex Kellen Moore Predicted For 'Nightmarish' Season
Eagles Ex Kellen Moore Predicted For 'Nightmarish' Season originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Philadelphia Eagles are predicted to fly again this season, even without Kellen Moore. The former offensive coordinator helped unleash running back Saquon Barkley last season, and guided quarterback Jalen Hurts to a MVP trophy in Philly's thrashing of the Kansas City Chiefs in last February's Super Bowl LIX. Before all the confetti fell, Moore was reaping the rewards of his job well done by accepting the head coaching job with the New Orleans Saints. Advertisement It could be a free-fall for Moore from penthouse to outhouse. According to most sports betting sites, the Saints - coming off a 5-12 season - have the lowest projected win total of any team in the NFL at 4.5. Yikes. 'A successful season as Eagles OC led Kellen Moore to a head coaching position, but he could be in for a nightmare season,' USA Today writes. 'His best quarterback had health concerns. Then, he retired. Rookie quarterback Tyler Shough will need to get up to speed quickly, or we could be in for another run by Spencer Rattler.' Moore is one of the brightest young offensive minds in pro football, but he'll likely be reminded that more often than not stars trump strategy. He will no longer be calling plays for Barkley and Hurts and veteran receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith. Instead, he'll be reminding Shough where to lineup, lamenting the retirement of Derek Carr and trying to produce yards and points with running back Alvin Kamara and receiver Chris Olave. Advertisement The Saints will likely be favored only four times all season: twice against the lowly Carolina Panthers and Week 16 and 17 games against the New York Jets and Tennessee Titans. The Eagles, meanwhile, have the best odds of returning Super Bowl LX next February in Santa Clara's Levi's Stadium. Related: Eagles First-Round Rookie Passes Major Off-Field Test Related: Eagles Pro Bowler Speaks Out on Impressive 'Draft Steal' Rookie This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 30, 2025, where it first appeared.
