Chris Jones-Imagn Images

NFL Punishes Former Dallas Cowboys Star

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Chris Phelps | Last updated Nov 5, 2025 7:57 PM ET

Rico Dowdle and the Carolina Panthers continued their surprising 2025 season, improving to 5-4 with a 16-13 win over Jordan Love and the Green Bay Packers in Week 9. In his first year away from the Dallas Cowboys, Dowdle continued to impress, rushing 25 times for 130 yards and two touchdowns while adding two receptions for nine yards.

Dowdle has been one of the more intriguing stories in recent memory. After going undrafted in 2020 out of South Carolina, he saw limited action during his first three seasons in Dallas. He earned the Cowboys’ starting running back job in 2024 and topped 1,000 rushing yards for the first time. Now with Carolina, Dowdle already has 735 yards and four touchdowns, ranking third in the NFL.

Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle (5) Scott Kinser-Imagn Images

But following his second touchdown run against the Packers in Week 9, Dowdle got a little carried away, celebrating with a nod to a popular "Key & Peele" skit. He thrusted his hips once alongside his teammates, then did it again moments later, yet stopped short of the infamous “third pump.”

Still, officials called an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on Dowdle for his celebration, giving the Packers 15 yards, which was enforced between downs. Typically in the NFL, players can be fined up to $14,491 for a first unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, which can increase to $20,288 upon a second offense during the same season.

And on Wednesday, WCNC Charlotte’s Nathaniel Puente reported that Dowdle has been "fined" an undisclosed amount, as revealed in the running back's social media post.

"Starting a go fund me they got me ," Dowdle wrote on X.

Starting a go fund me they got me
— Rico Dowdle (@ricodowdle) November 5, 2025

While no unsportsmanlike conduct fines were handed out in Week 8, six players were charged in Week 7, including two current members of the Cowboys, Dowdle's former team. Offensive lineman Brock Hoffman was charged $6,111 for taunting, while wide receiver George Pickens was fined $11,593 for the same offense.

Up next for Dowdle and the Panthers, a Week 10 battle with the New Orleans Saints on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. ET.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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