NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A performer who disrupted Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime performance was found guilty Monday of resisting an officer after police said he ran across the field at Caesars Superdome with a Sudanese flag that read “Sudan and Free Gaza."
Zul-Qarnain Kwame Nantambu, 41, of New Orleans was among dozens of dancers wearing black outfits as part of the hip-hop artist’s Feb. 9, 2025, performance.
While Nantambu was authorized to be on the field, he deviated from his assigned role when he held up the flag while standing on the roof of a car used as a prop in the show, according to the Louisiana State Police. He then jumped off the stage and started running. Security and law enforcement personnel ran after him, and he refused to comply with their commands to stop, the state police said.
Nantambu surrendered to authorities after an arrest warrant was obtained, the agency said. He was booked into the Orleans Parish Justice Center on charges of resisting an officer and disturbing the peace by interruption of a lawful assembly.
Chief Judge Juana Marine-Lombard found him guilty only of the resisting an officer charge, a misdemeanor.
An attorney for Nantambu, Emily Posner, did not immediately respond to emails seeking comment.
“We appreciate the chief judge’s careful consideration of the evidence and the decision to hold this individual accountable for resisting law enforcement officers who work every day to protect our communities," Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill said.
Nantambu will be sentenced June 1, the judge said. He could face a fine of up to $500 and up to 6 months in prison, according to state law.
He has also received a lifetime ban from all NFL events.
In a separate case, Nantambu is listed as the victim of a shooting outside a celebrity boxing event in Miami in May 2025.
Former NFL player Antonio Brown is facing an attempted murder charge after authorities say he grabbed a handgun from a security worker at the boxing event and fired two shots at Nantambu. Nantambu told investigators that one of the bullets grazed his neck.
Brown has said he was defending himself. A trial date for him was set for January 2027.
FILE - A flag is raised during halftime of the NFL Super Bowl 59 football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles, Feb. 9, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum, File)
The fifth and deciding game of the PWHL’s semifinal playoff series between Minnesota and Montreal set for Monday night was postponed because of player safety concerns related to an illness.
Hours after announcing Game 5 between the Frost and Victoire would not be played on time, the league announced it was rescheduled for Tuesday night in Laval, Quebec.
Two people with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press the illness is limited to Montreal. The people spoke on condition of anonymity because the PWHL is not revealing that information.
The PWHL said medical assessment has determined that the symptoms are not consistent with hantavirus.
The rodent-borne disease has drawn attention in recent days after several Canadians were identified as contacts linked to a deadly outbreak aboard an Antarctic cruise ship, though no Canadian cases have been confirmed.
“The decision was made following consultation with medical personnel and in accordance with the league’s commitment to the health and wellbeing of players, fans, staff and all those involved in the competition,” the PWHL said in its initial news release.
The winner will face the Ottawa Charge in the Walter Cup Final after they defeated the Boston Fleet in the other semifinal matchup. Minnesota won the title in each of the league’s first two years of existence and is going for a three-peat.
The regular-season champion Victoire and third-seeded Frost have alternated wins, splitting each of their two games at home, including Montreal's 1-0 triple-overtime win in Game 2. The Frost forced Game 5 with a 3-1 win at Minnesota on Friday night.
The teams flew together by charter to Minnesota for Games 3 and 4 but traveled back to Montreal separately on Saturday.
The PWHL said earlier in the day that Games 3 and 4 of the best-of-five final at Ottawa were set for May 18 and May 20.
AP women’s hockey: https://apnews.com/hub/womens-hockey
Minnesota Frost forward Élizabeth Giguère (18) reaches for the puck as Montreal Victoire goaltender Ann-Renée Desbiens (35) and Victoire defenseman Maggie Flaherty (91) defend during the third period of game 3 of a PWHL hockey semifinals game, Thursday, May 7, 2026, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Montral Victoire forward Maureen Murphy (21) scores a goal against Minnesota Frost goaltender Maddie Rooney (35) in the third period of a Game 4 in a PWHL hockey playoff series game, Friday, May 8, 2026, in St. Paul, Minn. (Aaron Lavinsky/Minnesota Star Tribune via AP)
Minnesota Frost forward Abby Hustler (74) attacks the goal of Montreal Victoire goaltender Ann-Renée Desbiens (35) in the second period of a Game 4 in a PWHL hockey playoff series game, Friday, May 8, 2026, in St. Paul, Minn. (Aaron Lavinsky/Minnesota Star Tribune via AP)
