The Carolina Panthers found themselves in a bit of a dilemma after running back Rico Dowdle was penalized for his touchdown celebration during a recent game. To get a definitive answer on whether the penalty was justified, the team decided to bring in a special guest – comedian Keegan-Michael Key.
During a team meeting on Saturday, November 8, Panthers head coach Dave Canales surprised the players by introducing Keegan-Michael Key via a big screen. Key jokingly addressed Dowdle’s penalty, explaining that the rules from a comedy sketch, specifically a Key & Peele sketch from 2013, do not necessarily apply to the NFL.
Dowdle had been flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct after performing two hip thrusts in celebration of his touchdown, a nod to Key’s character Hingle McCringleberry from the sketch. The NFL fined Dowdle $14,491 for the celebration, a fine that Dowdle and his agent planned to appeal.
Keegan-Michael Key, known for his humor, pointed out the absurdity of the fine, calculating that each hip thrust cost Dowdle $7,000. In response to the penalty, Key posted an Instagram video jokingly accusing Dowdle of being robbed for only performing two pumps instead of three.
Dowdle took the fine in stride, starting a GoFundMe page to raise money to pay it off. However, he clarified that all funds raised through the page would actually be donated to the Children’s Home Society of North Carolina, a charity that supports children in need of permanent, safe, and loving families.
At the end of Key’s virtual visit, he and his wife Elle announced that they would be donating $15,000 to a charity of Dowdle’s choice, further demonstrating their support for a good cause.
In the end, the Panthers’ humorous attempt to seek clarity on Dowdle’s penalty turned into a charitable endeavor, with all parties involved coming together to support a worthy cause.
