The Carolina Panthers notched their fifth victory of the 2025 NFL season on Sunday, taking down the Green Bay Packers with a 16-13 final score at Lambeau Field.
The Panthers’ offense was led by yet another stellar performance from running back Rico Dowdle, who recorded 130 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 25 carries.
After his second touchdown score of the game late in the third quarter, Dowdle mimicked a popular skit from Comedy Central’s “Key & Peele” as his celebration.
Dowdle was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct as a result of the celebration, and Panthers kicker Ryan Fitzgerald missed the ensuing extra point after a 15-yard penalty.
On Wednesday, Dowdle confirmed that the NFL fined him for his celebration.
“Starting a go fund me [laughing emoji]. They got me,” Dowdle wrote on X.
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Dowdle clearly isn’t taking this penalty too seriously. The 27-year-old running back joked about the celebration and braced for a possible fine during his postgame comments on Sunday.
“From my understanding and everything I’ve learned, we go over stuff like this every week in the meeting room. I definitely think you’re supposed to get two pumps,” Dowdle said. “Hopefully, I don’t get a fine.”
NFL officials review game film to determine potential fines each week. The league then sends out direct notification letters to players, giving them the specific details of the fine and instructions on how to appeal.
A full list of NFL fines is announced to the public each Saturday.
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Dowdle has been an unexpectedly-elite rusher through the first half of the 2025 NFL season. The former Dallas Cowboys RB ranks third in NFL rushing so far this year, despite spending the majority of the season as a backup to Chuba Hubbard.
Dowdle had back-to-back outings with more than 230 scrimmage yards with Hubbard out in Weeks 5 and 6. Now, he’s officially taken over as the Panthers’ clear lead back moving forward.
The 5-4 Panthers will look to continue their positive momentum in Sunday’s Week 10 matchup against the New Orleans Saints.
