CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) - A star player for the Carolina Panthers was fined for his celebration during this past weekend’s game against the Green Bay Packers.
Running back Rico Dowdle -- an Asheville native and former South Carolina Gamecock -- busted into the end zone near the end of the third quarter on Sunday, and proceeded to reenact a “Key & Peele” skit that included two hip thrusts.
Dowdle was called for unsportsmanlike conduct, which pushed the extra point try from a 33-yard kick to a 48-yard one. Rookie kicker Ryan Fitzgerald then missed the extra point, keeping the Panthers’ lead at 13-6, rather than 14-6.
It all ended up working out, though, as Dowdle broke off a 19-yard run in the game’s final minute to set up the winning field goal for Fitzgerald. Carolina left historic Lambeau Field with an impressive 16-13 upset victory.
After the game, Dowdle told reporters he thought his celebration was within the rules.
“From my understanding and everything I’ve learned ... we go over stuff like this every week in the meeting room,” Dowdle said. “I definitely think you’re supposed to get two pumps. I hope I don’t get fined.”
Turned out, he did get find, judging by a Wednesday social media post, which said “They got me.” It was unclear exactly how much the fine was, but according to the NFL’s rules, a first-offense unsportsmanlike penalty docks players $14,491.
Dowdle has used the attention for good, though, after at first joking that he was setting up a GoFundMe to pay the fine. He did set one up -- just for a different cause.
He appeared to have set the online fundraiser up himself, with all money raised going to support Children’s Home Society of North Carolina. As of this writing, more than $11,000 had already been raised.
Dowdle shared the GoFundMe link on both X and his Instagram story, and appeared to have donated $1,000 himself.
Anyone who wants to join in the effort can donate here.
Rico Dowdle injury update
After he started the year working behind Chuba Hubbard, Dowdle has overtaken the starting running back spot, and with good reason. Through the first nine weeks of the season, the 27-year-old ranks third in the NFL with 735 rushing yards and has been a big part of why the Panthers are 5-4 and in the playoff hunt.
Some concern arose Wednesday, though, when Dowdle was listed as a nonparticipant in practice with a quad injury.
Panthers head coach Dave Canales gave an update on his newfound star following Wednesday’s practice, and said Dowdle was “just working through some stuff.”
“We’re counting on him this weekend,” Canales said in his post-practice press conference. “Wanted to make sure that we get him on the right track so he can get out there [Thursday] ... As he continues to emerge as an important part of what we’re doing, you know, we’ve got to make sure we get him to gameday.”
If Dowdle is unable to play -- which did not seem to be the case -- Canales expressed confidence that Hubbard would be able to step in and play well, as he has in the past.
Panthers running back Rico Dowdle finished Week 9 ranked third in the NFL in rushing yards.
Panthers running back Rico Dowdle finished Week 9 ranked third in the NFL in rushing yards.(Matt Ludtke | AP)
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