Rico Dowdle went with the league-approved version of his celebration on Sunday., Jared C. Tilton / Getty Images

Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle has had plenty of reason to celebrate recently, becoming one of the most productive runners in the NFL over the past month.

After getting in the end zone again on Sunday in the first quarter of a 17-7 loss to the New Orleans Saints, Dowdle showed he’s also a quick learner.

In Carolina’s Week 9 win over the Green Bay Packers, Dowdle was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct in the third quarter after scoring a touchdown. Dowdle celebrated the score with two pelvic thrusts, a celebration made popular in a “Key & Peele” comedy skit. The thinking was that limiting it to two pumps would be enough to avoid a flag, but that was not the case. Dowdle was penalized for the celebration and later issued a fine, too.

After Dowdle scored in the first quarter against the Saints on Sunday, he appeared to get in position to celebrate similarly, but refrained from any pelvic thrusts — drawing approval from the league’s social media account.

You chose wisely Rico 😂

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

— NFL (@NFL) November 9, 2025

Earlier in the day, Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones did something similar, when he put his hands at the back of his helmet and paused, but waved his hands and jogged away without any pelvic thrusts.

Aaron Jones gives the @Vikings an early lead 😤

BALvsMIN on FOX/FOX Onehttps://t.co/HkKw7uXnxV pic.twitter.com/vEVyicK4ps

— NFL (@NFL) November 9, 2025

After he was fined for his Week 9 celebration, Dowdle created a GoFundMe, with funds going to charity. The Panthers also capitalized on the situation, inviting Keegan-Michael Key to virtually join the team during a meeting.

“I just want to say I’m very honored that you would choose a ‘Key & Peele’ sketch for your celebration,” Key said. “The reason I’m here is I wanted to share with you guys, especially with you Rico, is that I’ve done my recent research and apparently, I guess the rules that are made up in a comedy sketch do not necessarily reflect the rules in the NFL.”

Nov 10, 2025

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Saad Yousuf is a staff writer covering the NFL. He previously covered the Dallas Cowboys and the Dallas Stars at The Athletic. Saad also works at 96.7/1310 The Ticket in Dallas after five years at ESPN Dallas radio. Prior to The Athletic, Saad covered the Cowboys, Mavericks and a variety of other sports at The Dallas Morning News. Follow Saad on Twitter @SaadYousuf126