Rico Dowdle is one of the most impressive stories of the season. The Carolina Panthers running back signed a one-year deal with the team after a strong season with the Dallas Cowboys. Hoping to prove his value in the league, he not only continued to play at a high level in 2024 but also dethroned starting running back Chuba Hubbard.
Dowdle already has three games with at least 130 yards. Only Jonathan Taylor and James Cook (5.7) average more yards per carry than Dowdle (5.6) this season. He’s on pace to surpass the 1,000-yard mark once again.
This year, however, the league’s attention extends beyond his on-field production to his end-zone celebrations.
Rico Dowdle Reacts to NFL Punishment
On Wednesday, the league fined the running back $14,491 for his touchdown celebration against the Green Bay Packers, according to ESPN.
After news of the fine became public, Dowdle joked on X: “Starting a GoFundMe, they got me.”
Starting a go fund me 🤣 they got me 🥹
— Rico Dowdle (@ricodowdle) November 5, 2025
The celebration happened in the third quarter of the game. Dowdle made just two pumps in reference to Key & Peele after a touchdown, but referees still threw a flag. Despite his belief that he stopped just short of being penalized, he lost yards and money as a result.
#Panthers RB Rico Dowdle says the NFL fined him for his Key & Peele celebration during Sunday’s game vs. the Packers.
So a flag and fine for a double pump.pic.twitter.com/neBYiLgR71 https://t.co/1xQR2NnYkd
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) November 6, 2025
Panthers Are Still Undefeated With Rico Dowdle As Their Starter
The Panthers are one of the big surprises in the first half of the season. The team currently has a 5-4 record and is firmly in the race for a playoff spot. Coincidentally, in all games where Dowdle started over Chuba Hubbard, they ended with a win.
Dave Canales experimented with the two players sharing carries in the backfield. It quickly became clear that the best option for the Panthers would be to ride with Dowdle as their No. 1 runner, despite Hubbard signing a multi-year extension with the franchise a year ago.
Dowdle has 735 rushing yards this season. The five wins by the Panthers this season happened in games where he had double-digit carries.
His season-best performance was in Week 5, when Hubbard was out with an injury. He finished with 206 yards on 23 carries and a touchdown as the Panthers defeated the Miami Dolphins, 27-24.
