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The Carolina Panthers still aren’t sure about the penalty called on running back Rico Dowdle last weekend — so they asked the expert. The team invited comedian Keegan-Michael Key to a team meeting on Saturday, November 8, to give the final determination on whether or not Dowdle’s questionable touchdown celebration should’ve resulted in a penalty. “Let’s get an expert,” Panthers head coach Dave Canales said to the team, before announcing the very special surprise appearance. “Can we get Keegan-Michael Key to explain this to us?” Michael Key then appeared on a big screen in the front of the room, much to the surprise of the players. “I just want to say I’m very honored that you would choose a Key and Peele sketch for your celebration,” Michael Key said. “The reason I’m here is I wanted to share with you guys, especially with you Rico, is that I’ve done my recent research and apparently, I guess the rules that are made up in a comedy sketch do not necessarily reflect the rules in the NFL.” Dowdle was called for unsportsmanlike conduct after his touchdown during a 16-13 win over the Green Bay Packers on Sunday November 2. After scoring, he celebrated with two hip thrusts – a nod to the famous Key & Peele sketch from 2013. In the sketch, the player Hingle McCringleberry, portrayed by Michael Key, gets penalized for three hip thrusts, not just two. Dowdle revealed that he was fined by the NFL for the celebration via social media after the game. Dowdle’s agent, David Canter, said they would appeal the fine, which ESPN reported came out to $14,491. During the virtual visit, Michael Key did some math regarding the fine. “14,000 dollars for two pumps, so that’s seven grand a pump,” Michael Key said. “That means if you do zero pumps, then that would then cost you zero thousand dollars and a fine.” Michael Key originally responded to the penalty in an Instagram video on Monday, November 3, making a joke about the penalty and the sketch. “Rico, man you got robbed,” Michael Key said in the video. “You only did two pumps. I’m sorry man. Now I’m going to have to write a new sketch.” In response to the fine, Dowdle started a GoFundMe page, jokingly saying he was raising funds to pay his fine. In reality, the money went to charity. “After much thought I’ve launched a GoFundMe for my fines,” Dowdle wrote on the page, which he launched Wednesday November 5. “Key said I got three pumps but I guess the NFL disagrees.” He then clarified the joke: “Actually, 100% of what is raised through this fundraiser will be sent to Children’s Home Society of North Carolina. Children’s Home Society promotes the right of every child to a permanent, safe, and loving family. They specialize in education and prevention programs, family preservation, and adoption and foster care.” At the end of Michael Key’s visit to the team meeting, the comedian introduced his wife, Elle, who said they were going to donate to a charity of Dowdle’s choice. “We just wanted to let you know that we saw your GoFundMe,” Elle said. “But even before that we were gonna make a donation to the charity of your choice for 15,000 dollars.”
