Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle delivered a touchdown, followed by a new celebration in what was a moment of perfect trolling after the NFL fined him $14,491Â last week.
Why Did the NFL Fine Rico Dowdle $14,491 in Week 9?
In Week 9’s 16-13 upset win over the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field, Dowdle celebrated a touchdown with two pelvic thrusts, mimicking the Key & Peele comedy sketch about the NFL’s “two-pump limit.”
It may have been a joke, but the officials clearly didn’t find it funny. They assessed a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, and the league later fined him $14,491, according to an ESPN report.
Reacting to the incident, Dowdle later posted a GoFundMe link on X, writing in the description: “After much thought, I’ve launched a GoFundMe for my fines. Key said I got three pumps but I guess the NFL disagrees.”
Actor and comedian Keegan-Michael Key, who wrote the sketch, even defended him with a joke: “Rico, man you got robbed. You only did two pumps. I’m sorry, now I’m going to have to write a new sketch.”
After launching the GoFundMe campaign, Dowdle announced that 100% of the funds raised will be donated to the Children’s Home Society of North Carolina.
Dowdle Trolls the NFL With a New Celebration in Week 10
With 8:04 remaining in the first quarter against the New Orleans Saints, Dowdle took a first-and-goal handoff from the 5-yard line, cut behind the right tackle, and powered into the end zone for the score.
After the touchdown, Ryan Fitzgerald knocked through the extra point at 7:59 to push Carolina ahead. That’s when Dowdle took the opportunity to pull out the new celebration.
All week long, reporters asked what he would do if he scored. “No pumps. Wait and see,” Dowdle had told them. The Panthers’ star followed through with his word with a fake pump celebration.
RICO DOWDLE FAKE PUMP CELEBRATIONpic.twitter.com/AISsfFVW13
— Underdog NFL (@UnderdogNFL) November 9, 2025
He set his hands like he was about to repeat the infamous pelvic-thrust celebration, paused, and then stared directly into the camera, before casually walking away.
This time, though, there was no flag, and he definitely had no plans to donate another $14,491 as a fine to the league office.
MORE: Find out your team’s postseason chances with PFSN’s NFL Football Playoff Meter (FPM)
The 27-year-old Dowdle is in the midst of a breakout season with the Panthers. He started the year as the No. 2 option on the depth chart, but after back-to-back 180-plus yard rushing games, Dowdle pushed himself to a bigger role.
Per PFSN’s RB Impact ranking, Dowdle ranks No. 3 in the season with a 89.04 score and a B+ grade, averaging 5.6 yards per carry, handling 55.7% of Carolina’s rushing attempts, and posting a 42.7% elusive rate with a top-tier efficiency.
