Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle turned his naughty behavior into a fundraiser that has raised more than $44,000 for foster youth.
In one of the more entertaining penalties and subsequent fines of the season, Dowdle was punished for excessive celebration during the Panthers’ Week 2 game on Nov. 2 against the Green Bay Packers. A game in which Carolina won.
After scoring, Dowdle marked the moment with two quick hip thrusts — a nod to the 2013 “Key & Peele” sketch where Keegan-Michael Key’s character pushes the NFL’s celebration rules to the limit, earning a penalty after a third thrust. Dowdle stopped at two, but the NFL still flagged Carolina for unsportsmanlike conduct and later fined him $14,491. His agent confirmed that Dowdle plans to appeal the fine.
Dowdle Launched Fundraiser for Adoption Services
In response, Dowdle launched a GoFundMe on November 5 — not to pay the fine, but to support a good cause. He announced that 100% of the proceeds will be donated to the Children’s Home Society of North Carolina, which provides family support, adoption services, and youth programs.
“After much thought I’ve launched a GoFundMe for my fines,” Dowdle wrote on the fundraiser page. “Key said I got three pumps but I guess the NFL disagrees.”
Keegan-Michael Key Donates to the Cause
The moment caught the attention of one of the comedians behind the original joke. In a video posted to Instagram, Key addressed Dowdle, saying, “Rico, man, you got robbed. You only did two pumps… Now I’m going to have to write a new sketch.”
Key also made a donation of $15,000 to the fundraiser, which is more than Dowdle’s fine.
The topic resurfaced later in the week when Panthers head coach Dave Canales surprised his players by showing a video message from Key during a team meeting. In the clip, Key humorously clarified that the “rules” from his comedy sketch “do not necessarily reflect the rules of the NFL.”
Dowdle Holding a Press Event on Friday at Youth Home
Speaking with reporters, Dowdle said the fundraiser started as a lighthearted idea but “turned into something much bigger.” He highlighted that the attention ultimately helped channel support to children and families in need.
Dowdle and the Children’s Home Society will be holding a news conference on Friday in North Carolina to present a check and share more on why this charitable effort was important to him.
Dowdle Becoming a Cult Hero in North Carolina
Dowdle opened the season as the Panthers’ No. 2 running back, sitting behind Chuba Hubbard, who had just signed a four-year, $33 million extension and was expected to be the team’s featured back. Through the first four weeks, Hubbard held that role but delivered only modest results — averaging 13.25 carries and 54.25 yards per game without a single rushing touchdown.
When a calf injury sidelined Hubbard for Weeks 5 and 6, Dowdle stepped in and immediately made the most of his opportunity. He posted back-to-back games with over 200 scrimmage yards, leading Carolina to two straight victories. Practically overnight, Dowdle became a fan favorite in Charlotte. It was the kind of production Panthers fans hadn’t seen from a running back since Christian McCaffrey’s All-Pro campaign in 2019.
Dowdle entered Sunday’s game with the New Orleans Saints leading the NFC in rushing yards, but was held to 53 yards on 18 carries in the loss.
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