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Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle is taking his unsportsmanlike conduct fine from the NFL in stride, even raising money for charity via a GoFundMe page. The penalty came after Dowdle, 27, scored a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, November 2, when he celebrated with exactly two hip thrusts — a nod to a Key & Peele sketch from 2013. The Panthers were hit with a 15-yard penalty for his actions and Dowdle revealed via X on Wednesday, November 5 that he had been fined. Dowdle’s agent, David Canter, replied that they would appeal the fine, which ESPN reports came to $14,491. “After much thought I’ve launched a GoFundMe for my fines,” he wrote on the page, which he launched Wednesday. “Key said I got three pumps but I guess the NFL disagrees.” He then added that all funds raised will actually go to charity. “Actually, 100% of what is raised through this fundraiser will be sent to Children’s Home Society of North Carolina,” he continued. “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.” The GoFundMe has raised more than $25,000 as of Friday afternoon. In the Key & Peele sketch, the players operate under a rule in which fewer than three thrusts are allowed. Both teams watch closely as the football player, portrayed by Keegan-Michael Key, thrusts twice. Then, with the referee right in front of him and both teams watching closely, he thrusts a third time. The ref immediately blows the whistle and throws his flag. “Rico, man you got robbed,” Key, 54, said in a video via Instagram after the Panthers game. “You only did two pumps. I’m sorry, man. Now I’m going to have to write a new sketch.” Dowdle had plenty of other supporters in the comments, including the Panthers’ all-time rushing leader Jonathan Stewart, who responded with four laughing emojis. Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Dowdle said he was excited over how much money he had raised. Who Is Your Favorite Current NFL Player? “It was a joke at first,” he said. “It turned into something much bigger. … Thankfully, everybody was able to actually donate to a greater cause. Those kids are really needy people in the foundation.” Dowdle added that he had seen others do the same celebration and not get flagged for it. Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers did it in 2020 when he played for the Packers and was not fined. Regardless of whether the fine stands, Dowdle is putting himself in position for a major payday after the season. He signed a one-year, $2.7 million deal with the Panthers in March, but is putting together a career year. He has rushed for four touchdowns, already a career-high, and is on pace to blow past his career-best 1,079 rushing yards. His game against the Packers was one of his finest performances of the year, as he rushed for two scores and piled up 130 rushing yards.
