The Pittsburgh Steelers bolstered their running back room on Monday after losing 2025 offensive MVP Kenneth Gainwell to free agency. They reportedly agreed to a two-year deal with former Carolina Panthers RB Rico Dowdle.
Our very own Ross McCorkle studied Dowdle’s film to see what the Steelers are getting. But who exactly is Rico Dowdle, besides a running back who posted back-to-back seasons of 1,000+ scrimmage yards? Here are five things to know about the newest Steelers’ running back.
Pressed Into Service As QB Senior Year Of Hs, Sets Record
Dowdle played his high school football at A.C. Reynolds in Asheville, North Carolina. He was a star running back, of course. However, for his senior year, he had to take on an even bigger role: Starting quarterback. How did Dowdle respond?
By setting the Western North Carolina record for most offensive touchdowns in a season with 63. Even though he played quarterback, the Rockets’ offense was still run-first. He ran for 2,545 yards and 51 touchdowns while leading the Rockets to an 11-2 record. He did throw the ball, too, throwing for 1,434 yards and 11 touchdowns. He even caught a touchdown.
No wonder the Citizen-Times named Dowdle the All-WNC Football Player of the Year. However, that would have never happened without his mother making an important decision a few years earlier.
Moved States In Eighth Grade
Rico Dowdle is not originally from North Carolina. He was born in Gaffney, South Carolina. However, his mother decided to move to Asheville while Dowdle was in eighth grade. At that time of life, that can be a massive adjustment. However, Dowdle sees it as a big positive.
“I think it was probably the best change that I could’ve done in my life, just making that move from Gaffney to here,” Dowdle said in an interview with TheState.com. “Coach Laws has been there for me since my freshman year at the school. There are a bunch of things that I’ve been through with people up here in this community and area, and they have been able to help me get through them and keep me up and keep me going.”
Dowdle turned the big move into a massive senior year and eventually received an offer from the University of South Carolina, the team he had been a fan of as a kid. He couldn’t have done it without the support of the people in Asheville and AC Reynolds in particular.
Turned Penalized TD Celebration Into A Charity Fundraiser
Comedy duo Key and Peele are known for a variety of hysterical comedy sketches. Their football-themed sketches have been especially brilliant. The college football bowl game roster skits, in particular, are golden.
However, Key and Peele lampooned the NFL’s propensity for excessive celebration flags with the infamous “triple pump” sketch. What does this have to do with Rico Dowdle? Well, evidently, he had seen the sketch, because he reenacted the scene but only did “two pumps.” He was still flagged and fined. Unfortunately for Dowdle, there is no rule allowing two pumps but not three.
TiedRico Dowdle scores his second TD of the day!
📺:FOX pic.twitter.com/itkv81R0md
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) November 2, 2025
However, Dowdle turned the fine into something good for the community. He issued a message joking that he was going to start a GoFundMe to pay the fine. But when it gained traction, he pivoted instead to support the Children’s Home Society of North Carolina.
“It’s a charity for kids and foster kids in homes that are in need of a family, and it just so happened to be national adoption month…” Dowdle said per KSN.com and Steve Reed of the Associated Press. “I’m kind of surprised (by the money that has been raised), but not really, because there are a lot of people in the world that have good hearts.”
Almost Set The Panthers’ Single-Game Franchise Record For Rushing Yards While Fueled By… Pickle Juice?
In Week 5 of the 2025 season, Dowdle and the Panthers took on the Miami Dolphins. Even though the game was in early October, Charlotte can still be quite hot and humid through the early part of October. Dowdle was certainly feeling it. With starting RB Chuba Hubbard out, Dowdle earned the start and the brunt of the carries.
Dowdle took the opportunity and ran with it, both literally and figuratively. He carried the ball 23 times for 206 yards and a touchdown. The 206 rushing yards were the second-most rushing yards in a single game, tied with RB Jonathan Williams. Dowdle averaged an incredible nine yards per carry. He also caught three passes for 28 yards.
All while cramping in the North Carolina heat. So, how did he keep going? By drinking the salty brine that is pickle juice. And a couple of other things, too.
“I drank like five (pickle juices) on the sidelines,” Dowdle said after the game, per panthers.com. “Five pickle juices, a Rite stuff, and some cramp stuff.”
Dowdle finished only four yards shy of the Panthers’ single-game record of 210 yards set by RB DeAngelo Williams (who spent two seasons with the Steelers).
“I think I would have, honestly, if I didn’t leave with cramps,” Dowdle said when asked if he thought he could have set the franchise record. “I definitely would have gotten it.”
Unfortunately, Dowdle’s brew of pickle juice and other liquids couldn’t hold up through the entire fourth quarter.
Used To Sharing The Backfield
Rico Dowdle never got the chance to shine as the entrenched starter throughout his career. When he was with the Cowboys, he spent time with players like Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard. In Carolina, he shared the backfield with the aforementioned Chuba Hubbard.
In Pittsburgh, Dowdle will do the same with Jaylen Warren. Obviously, he knows that and still willingly agreed to a deal. He’s talked about sharing a backfield before, too.
“The two-headed monster is better than one…” Dowdle said in 2025, per panthers.com. “It don’t really matter who’s starting, just a matter about going out there, getting a win, and executing, and then as long as we all getting the ball and things like that, and it’s helping the team win, so it really don’t matter.”
Dowdle even acknowledged that having another capable running back in the fold can keep everyone fresher, avoiding issues like those in the Dolphins game. So, it doesn’t sound like Rico Dowdle will have any issues sharing the backfield in Pittsburgh with Jaylen Warren.
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