Panthers RB Rico Dowdle penalized for ‘Key & Peele’-inspired TD celebration

Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct on his third-quarter touchdown celebration against the Green Bay Packers, which caused some confusion with what’s allowed in the NFL rulebook.

Dowdle ran in a 1-yard touchdown and stood at the back of the end zone as his teammates gathered around him. He put his hands behind his head and did two pelvic thrusts, a celebration made popular in a “Key & Peele” comedy skit. However, the officials deemed it unsportsmanlike conduct.

The only language regarding unsportsmanlike conduct during celebrations in the NFL rule book states that “Prolonged or excessive celebrations or demonstrations by an individual player or multiple players” are prohibited.

The Dowdle penalty set the Panthers back 15 yards and kicker Ryan Fitzgerald missed the ensuing 48-yard extra-point attempt. Carolina still led the Packers 13-6 but missed out on a chance to go up by 8 points. That proved costly when the Packers scored late in the fourth quarter on a 1-yard Josh Jacobs run and made their PAT to tie the game with 2:32 to play, but Fitzgerald made a 49-yard field goal as time expired to give the Panthers the win.

Earlier in the day, New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs celebrated in a similar way and was not flagged.

Hingle McCringleberry pt. 2@budlight | #ForTheCelly pic.twitter.com/ssI5ANzy0h

— New England Patriots (@Patriots) November 2, 2025