If you thought a fine was going to deter Rico Dowdle from fully channeling Hingle McCringleberry, guess again.
The Carolina Panthers running back scored his first touchdown since his paycheck was docked for thrusting two pumps a week ago in his life-imitates-art moment while mimicking McCringleberry, the fictional football player from a ‘Key & Peele’ sketch infamous for drawing penalties with his inappropriate end-zone celebrations.
After scoring on a 5-yard run Sunday against the New Orleans Saints, Dowdle again put his hands behind his head as if he was considering a pump or two, a la McCringleberry, portrayed by actor and comedian Keegan-Michael Key, who couldn’t help himself while deciding whether or not to test the official (played by Jordan Peele). McCringleberry had a propensity to test a fictional rule that permitted two pumps but not three.
But Dowdle contained himself this time, eventually celebrating with his teammates while forgoing even a single pump.
The Minnesota Vikings’ Aaron Jones also faked a pump Sunday after scoring a TD against the Baltimore Ravens.
Dowdle was fined $14,491 after being penalized for the celebration following his second Week 9 touchdown against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Not only did he lose money, his 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty contributed to a missed extra point. Dowdle later made amends with a 19-yard run on Carolina’s final drive, setting up the game-winning field goal by Ryan Fitzgerald.
Dowdle joked on social media that he was staring a GoFundMe initiative after learning his wallet had taken a hit.
By NFL standards, the Panthers’ breakout star is vastly underpaid, his one-year deal with Carolina set to pay him $2.75 million − less the cut the NFL has taken.
Dowdle ran for nearly 1,100 yards with the Dallas Cowboys in 2024 and entered Week 10 ranked third in the NFL with 735 rushing yards − despite starting just three games since he took over the lead role from Chuba Hubbard.
Dowdle was surprised when he was penalized, holding up two fingers as he left the field for the sideline in Green Bay.
‘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 following the game.
His infraction came at a time when the league has emphasized good sportsmanship. However the entire episode has generally been met with good fun, actor and comedian Keegan-Michael Key, who portrayed McCringleberry, expressing faux outrage on Instagram on Sunday night.
‘Rico! Man, you got robbed − you only did two pumps,’ said a flabbergasted Key, tongue firmly placed in cheek.
‘I’m sorry, man. Now I’m gonna have to write a new sketch.’
‘We’ve got to be smarter in that situation,’ said Panthers coach Dave Canales while in a forgiving mood Monday.
‘We’ve got to make sure that we understand the rules. I might have to call up Keegan-Michael Key to get clarification on that part of it, but from what I understand, any kind of movement that way, any weapons, or all that stuff is going to get flagged. We’ve got to be smarter about that.’
Sunday, it appeared Dowdle had learned his lesson.