Panthers RB Rico Dowdle taunts NFL with fake 'Key & Peele' TD celebration after fine

by: Alex Byington 4 hours ago _AlexByington

Nov 9, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle (5) celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown during the first quarter against the New Orleans Saints during the first quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Rico Dowdle learned his lesson after last week. After being fined nearly $14,500 by the NFL for his “two-pump” salute to the infamous “Hingle McCringleberry” Key & Peele sketch, the Carolina Panthers running back avoided a similar fine this week when he opt for a fake out touchdown celebration instead.

Following a first-quarter touchdown Sunday that gave the Panthers an early 7-0 lead against the New Orleans Saints , Dowdle huddled several teammates around him and put his hands behind his head as if he was going to once again reinact the touchdown celebation made famous by the fictional “Hingle McCringleberry” character played by comedian Keegan-Michael Key . But that was all in jest as Dowdle quickly broke the huddle and bolted to the Panthers sideline instead.

NOvsCAR on FOX/FOX Onehttps://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/RdRHCTnpdH

— NFL (@NFL) November 9, 2025

Dowdle wasn’t as wise last week against the Green Bay Packers when the Panthers’ breakout starattempted to honor the infamous Key & Peele sketch in which McCringleberry gets flagged for a touchdown celebration that includes three “pumps” — hip thrusts. In the sketch, a referee played by show co-creater Jordan Peele throws an excessive celebration flag, but only after McCringleberry’s third “pump” as announcers explain the “rule book” says a player is only allowed two “pumps.”

Of course, if those were the actual rules, Dowdle wouldn’t have been flagged last week. Unfortunately, the NFL has its own rules about excessive celebrations, and they don’t line up with the Key & Peele sketch.

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