An NFL fine and an idea taught Panthers RB Rico Dowdle how far his voice could go

Alex Zietlow, The Charlotte Observer on Nov 15, 2025

Published in Football

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CHARLOTTE, N.C. — For as cool as the moment was — for as much noise had been made thanks to Rico Dowdle’s choices on and off the field over the past two weeks — there was something unexpected about the scene Friday afternoon.

It was … quiet.

Warm, welcoming, happy. But quiet nonetheless.

Dowdle visited the Charlotte offices of the Children’s Home Society of North Carolina a few hours after the Carolina Panthers’ week of practice concluded Friday. He offered kids fist bumps. He presented a check of $45,000 to the organization. He chitchatted as he signed footballs and Panthers pennants. And he ensured worried parents that, yes, his quad was feeling better and that, yes, he was expected to be full-go Sunday.

But for all this event was, it wasn’t larger than life, or loud. You could tell the kids in his orbit were bursting with happiness, but they were shy in front of the star.

“They didn’t really ask too many questions,” Dowdle said, smiling, when asked what he told the kids. “Handshakes, high-fives and things like that.”

And for the record: Dowdle seemed completely comfortable with that.

The 5-foot-11, 211-pound running back might be among the most violent runners in one of the most violent games in the world. And he might be on a thunderous run right now — third in the NFL in rushing yards through 10 weeks, with Week 11 against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. But spend enough time around him, and you’ll notice he’s on the quieter side, too.

And that’s what made Friday so interesting:

Dowdle might be one of the quietest players in the Panthers’ locker room. And yet over the course of the past two weeks — from the moment he was fined for the NFL for celebrating in the end zone to Friday afternoon — he learned just how far his words can travel.

“It definitely was surprising of how much we were able to raise,” Dowdle said. “And like I said, a lot of athletes have platforms, and I was just happy I was able to use my platform in a positive way for this to turn out this good. I didn’t expect it to be this much from the beginning.”

The path to Friday all started a few weeks ago, right after the Carolina Panthers took a 7-point lead over the Green Bay Packers in their Week 9 contest at Lambeau Field. Dowdle had just bruised his way into the end zone for his second touchdown of the day. In celebration, he danced.

The dance in particular changed everything. Inspired by a skit from Keegan-Michael Key of the famous comedy duo Key and Peele, Dowdle decided to gather his teammates and thrust his pelvis. Twice. “Two pumps,” to which it has since been referred. Then came the flag. An unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. And then a fine from the league office of nearly $15,000.

That Wednesday, Dowdle announced on his X feed that he’d started a GoFundMe. He initially joked that it would be a way to pay his NFL fines, but the fundraiser actually benefited the Children’s Home Society of North Carolina, an organization that pairs children of all ages with adoptive parents and foster homes and offers support throughout the adoption process.

His initial goal said $11,000; that was crushed in a few hours. The next goal was $20,000; that too was topped by Thursday evening. On top of all of that, Key himself made an appearance at a Panthers team meeting — and informed the room that he and his wife, Elle, would make a donation of $15,000 to the charity of Dowdle’s choice.

It all amounted to $45,000 to the Children’s Home Society of N.C., as of Friday afternoon. The GoFundMe is still very much active, too.

The links between Dowdle and the organization were endless and evident Friday. Dowdle is a father, and it meant a lot that he could aid in offering kids a home. The organization served an area that means a lot to him, too; he was born in Gaffney, S.C., and attended high school in Asheville. In fact, after the event, he said he was off to get pizza and then travel to his alma mater’s playoff football game in the evening — when A.C. Reynolds, still coached by his old coach Shane Laws, would face Charlotte Catholic.

But the organization made it clear that Dowdle’s support was a wonderful surprise. And it was more than a monetary gift alone, said Brian Maness, the president and CEO of Children’s Home Society of North Carolina.

“Raising over $45,000, it’s hard to even express how much we appreciate that, and how meaningful that is to us,” Maness said. “But even beyond the financial support, the level of interest we’ve been receiving from folks who care about kids, who care about families, and want to help, whether it’s financial or otherwise — it’s been really terrific.”

Dowdle admitted before leaving that he “didn’t really know the impact” these past two weeks were capable of making. Chalk that up to him being a quiet star, the kind who now knows how far his voice can go.