Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales said he might have to call writer/actor Keegan-Michael Key after one of his players received a penalty from the NFL.
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Running back Rico Dowdle scored a touchdown as the Carolina Panthers upset the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. He then received a 15-yard penalty for putting his hands behind his helmet and doing "two pumps" with his groin area. NFL fans familiar with sketch comedy immediately recognized this from the long-running show, "Key & Peele."
"We've got to be smarter in that situation," Canales said on Monday while discussing the penalty. "We've got to make sure that we understand the rules.
"I might have to call up Keegan-Michael Key to get clarification on that part of it, but from what I understand, any kind of movement that way, any weapons, or all that stuff is going to get flagged. We've got to be smarter about that."
#Panthers RB Rico Dowdle says the NFL fined him for his Key & Peele celebration during Sunday’s game vs. the Packers.
So a flag and fine for a double pump.pic.twitter.com/neBYiLgR71 https://t.co/1xQR2NnYkd
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) November 6, 2025
The NFL has specific rules regarding celebrations. They don't permit anything that mimics a weapon, nor do they allow any "sexual" celebrations. The two pumps falls into this latter category.
Why would the head coach need to reach out to Key? The answer is simple. The writer/actor/producer already addressed this penalty situation during an episode of "Key & Peele." He even played the role of a professional football player, Hingle McCringleberry.
In this famous sketch, McCringleberry had a heated back and forth with a particular referee after making several big plays on the football field. He first scored a touchdown and did three pumps in the direction of three teammates, who all fell down after the motion.
The referee responded to these pumps by throwing the penalty flag. McCringleberry (Key) remained adamant that he had only done two pumps. The referee indicated he had done three pumps, which was illegal.
"I don't know, Bill, that was three pumps and the rule book says you cannot have more than two," one of the booth analysts said during the sketch.
The back-and-forth between McCringleberry and the referee continued with two more touchdown celebrations. Each time, Key's character tried to get away with three pumps. Each time, he received a penalty.
This sketch has entertained millions of viewers over the years, and it has led to some tributes during NFL games. Unfortunately for Dowdle, his attempt to recreate the move warranted a penalty and a fine.
