Copyright sportskeeda
Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle turned his NFL fine into a charitable moment after being penalized for his touchdown celebration against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday.Following his third-quarter score in the Panthers’ 16-13 victory, Dowdle mimicked the popular "Key & Peele" sketch featuring the character Dingle McCringleberry. He performed two hip thrusts before stopping. Despite staying within the sketch’s "two-pump" rule, officials flagged him for unsportsmanlike conduct.On Wednesday, Dowdle revealed on social media that the NFL had fined him."Starting a go fund me 🤣 they got me 🥹," Dowdle tweeted jokingly.Rico Dowdle @ricodowdleLINKStarting a go fund me 🤣 they got me 🥹Except the running back actually started a GoFundMe. Not to cover the fine, but to raise funds for the Children’s Home Society of North Carolina."After much thought, I've launched a GoFundMe for my fines," Dowdle joked. "Key said I got three pumps but I guess the NFL disagrees."He followed it with the real motive and praised the organization’s work in family preservation, adoption and foster care."Actually, 100% of what is raised through this fundraiser will be sent to 56-Children's Home Society of North Carolina," he wrote. "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. Let's raise some money."By Thursday morning, the fundraiser had already collected over $14,700.Comedian Keegan-Michael Key on Rico Dowdle's penaltyComedian Keegan-Michael Key weighed in after Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle was flagged for his "two-pump" touchdown celebration in Sunday’s 16-13 win over the Packers. Referencing his iconic “Key & Peele” character Hingle McCringleberry, Key posted on Instagram:“Rico! Man, you got robbed — you only did two pumps. I’m sorry, man. Now I’m gonna have to write a new sketch.”Panthers coach Dave Canales also addressed the incident.“We’ve got to be smarter in that situation," Canales said. "We’ve got to make sure that we understand the rules. I might have to call up Keegan-Michael Key to get clarification on that part of it.”Dowdle was initially confused after the penalty.“From my understanding and everything I’ve learned, we go over stuff like this every week," he said post-game. "I definitely think you’re supposed to get two pumps. Hopefully, I don’t get a fine.”Rico Dowdle rushed for 130 yards, including a crucial 19-yard run that set up Carolina’s game-winning field goal.
