It’s one thing to flag Rico Dowdle for only doing two pumps of a Hingle McCringleberry, but now the NFL has fined the Panthers running back.
Dowdle celebrated his second touchdown against the Packers on Sunday with an ode to the classic Key & Peele sketch, getting flagged for two pumps when it really should have been three before a flag was ever thrown.
It led to the Panthers having fun with it on social media, Coach Dave Canales weighing in, and even Keegan Michael Key himself saying that the NFL was wrong for tossing the flag after two pumps. It was all in good fun, but the NFL wasn’t laughing — fining Dowdle $14,491 for the celebration, which the league said was an “obscene gesture.”
While the money is only a tiny drop in the bucket, Dowdle turned the situation into a chance to do good. After initially teasing that he was going to start a Go Fund Me to pay the fine, he really did start a fundraiser — but to give money to children being adopted and foster care in North Carolina through the charity “Children’s Home Society of North Carolina.” Dowdle said in his fundraiser:
“After much thought I’ve launched a GoFundMe for my fines. Key said I got three pumps but I guess the NFL disagrees
Actually, 100% of what is raised through this fundraiser will be sent to Children’s Home Society of North Carolina. 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.“
One heck of a way to turn the silliest fine of the NFL season into an incredible chance to do good. Still, everyone knows you get two pumps for free.
