Panthers RB Rico Dowdle takes '2 pumps' NFL fine and turns it into something special for NC

Alex Zietlow, The Charlotte Observer on Nov 6, 2025

Published in Football

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CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Rico Dowdle is turning a fine from the NFL into something that will help his home state.

How, exactly?

By launching a GoFundMe.

“After much thought, I’ve launched a GoFundMe for my fines,” Dowdle wrote on the webpage he created Wednesday evening. “Key said I got three pumps, but I guess the NFL disagrees.”

And the GoFundMe, as of the wee hours of Thursday morning, has taken off — and has already collected donations by the thousands for the Children’s Home Society of North Carolina. (But more on that later.)

To understand this story, you’ll have to start at the beginning. That beginning was in the third quarter Sunday, right after the Carolina Panthers took a 7-point lead over the Green Bay Packers in their Week 9 contest in Lambeau Field.

Dowdle had just rumbled into the end zone for his second touchdown of what was shaping up to be a great day. In celebration of that score, the 5-foot-11, 215-pound running back decided to dance. He gathered his teammates — tight end Tommy Tremble, wide receiver Xavier Legette, an assortment of offensive linemen — and performed something inspired by Keegan-Michael Key of the famous comedy duo Key and Peele.

He thrusted his pelvis. Twice. He performed the “two pump” celebration, as it has become coined.

The celebration drew a flag. Unsportsmanlike conduct. Later, on Wednesday, it compelled a fine from the NFL. The fine, according to a report from ESPN, was $14,491. Dowdle’s agent, David Canter, announced on X that the fine would be appealed.

But then, a few hours later, the fine spawned something special, something meaningful that could help kids across North Carolina.

On Wednesday evening, Dowdle announced on his X feed that he’d started a GoFundMe. He initially joked that it would be a way to help pay his NFL fines, but in actuality the GoFundMe would be to help the Children’s Home Society of North Carolina. Dowdle is a Gaffney, S.C., native but spent a good chunk of his childhood in the Tar Heel state — and he’s written into the N.C. high school record books several times over for his legendary career at A.C. Reynolds High School in Asheville.

“Actually 100% of what is raised through this fundraiser will be sent to Children’s Home Society of North Carolina,” he wrote on his GoFundMe page. “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.”

He concluded: “Let’s raise some money.”

Dowdle posted the GoFundMe on his X feed at 8:07 p.m. Five hours later, $9,900 had been raised of its stated $11,000 goal.

As of noon Thursday, Dowdle had raised $17,500, with a new goal of $20,000.