Overview
- Carolina RB Rico Dowdle was fined $14,491 and flagged 15 yards for a two-pump touchdown celebration that pushed back and preceded a missed extra point in the Nov. 2 win at Green Bay.
- Keegan-Michael Key made a surprise virtual appearance at a Panthers team meeting, joked about the sketch’s “rules,” and he and his wife pledged a $15,000 donation to Dowdle’s fundraiser.
- Dowdle launched the GoFundMe with a pledge that 100% of proceeds go to the Children’s Home Society of North Carolina, and the total has surpassed $27,000.
- Head coach Dave Canales used the moment to clarify team guidance and said he asked Dowdle to adjust future celebrations to avoid further penalties.
- Cornerback Jaycee Horn said a prior team meeting joked about the Key & Peele skit’s “two pumps” idea, highlighting confusion as the NFL bans celebrations of a sexual nature.