Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle has been handed a hefty fine for the lewd touchdown celebration against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday.
As Dowdle celebrated a 1-yard touchdown run, he placed his hands on the back of his helmet and thrusted his pelvis twice in the direction of teammates in the end zone.
Officials felt Dowdle’s celebration was ‘prolonged’ and ‘excessive’, as per the NFL rulebook, and flagged the running back for unsportsmanlike conduct at the time.
Now, it’s been revealed that Dowdle has also been handed a $14,491 fine for his inappropriate celebration antics, according to NFL insider Tom Pelissero.
However, the Panthers star has gone a step further and set up a GoFundMe to raise money for the Children’s Home Society of North Carolina.
At the time of writing, the fundraiser has raised $24,821 and has a goal of $35,000.
Rico Dowdle has been fined nearly $15,000 for his touchdown celebration against the Packers
The dance was an ironic nod to a Key & Peele sketch in which a player draws a dumb penalty
The description of the GoFundMe page reads: ‘After much thought I’ve launched a GoFundMe for my fines. Key said I got three pumps but I guess the NFL disagrees’.
The dance was a nod to a Key & Peele sketch in which a football player draws a penalty for doing a similar thrust. Only, in the sketch, it took three thrusts for the player to draw a flag, whereas Dowdle was penalized after two against the Packers.
The fundraiser description continues: ‘Actually, 100% of what is raised through this fundraiser will be sent to Children’s Home Society of North Carolina.
‘Children’s Home Society promotes the right of every child to a permanent, safe, and loving family. They specialize in education and prevention programs, family preservation, and adoption and foster care. Let’s raise some money’.
After beating the Packers and improving to 5-4 on the season, Dowdle and Carolina head coach David Canales were seen embracing on the field.
Dowdle later joked with reporters he should have been allowed two thrusts, as the football player in the aforementioned Key & Peele sketch was.
‘From my understanding, everything I’ve learned, we go over stuff like this every week,’ Dowdle told reporters. ‘I definitely think you’re supposed to get two pumps. I hope I don’t get fined.’
A number of fans certainly agreed.
‘They penalized Dowdle for two thrusts!!’ one fan joked. ‘Everyone knows the rule is 3!!!!!!! No Fun League!!!!!!’
