On Thursday, Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle found a way to turn an NFL fine into an opportunity to support children in need. Dowdle was fined by the league for his touchdown celebration during Carolina’s recent win over the Green Bay Packers. After joking on social media about starting a GoFundMe campaign to cover the cost of his fine, GoFundMe contacted him and suggested using the attention to raise money for charity.
Dowdle chose to direct donations toward the Children’s Home Society of North Carolina, an organization that works to ensure every child has a permanent and loving family through education programs, family preservation, adoption, and foster care services.
“So glad to be able to turn that into a great cause,” Dowdle said Thursday afternoon.
By publication time, contributions had surpassed $20,000 as fans, teammates, and coaches donated. The fundraising goal was raised several times throughout the day in response to continued support.
“Kind of surprised, but you know, not really because there’s a lot of people in the world that got a good heart, so not surprising from that perspective,” Dowdle said. “There’s a bunch of good people in the Carolina fan base, and those guys and people who have seen it, so very proud of those guys.
“Definitely thankful for everybody that was able to actually donate to a greater cause. Those kids are really in need, and the foundation it’s a good thing.”
The positive momentum from the fundraiser provided some comfort for Dowdle on what became an emotional day after learning about the death of Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland. Dowdle played with Kneeland last season while with Dallas.
“Yeah, and I want to say condolences to him,” Dowdle said when broached with the subject. “Tough time, keep him in your prayers, his family in your prayers, the Cowboys organization, and just a tough time. Young kid, very spirited, and like I said, just keep him and his family in your prayers.”
Dowdle added he planned to reach out later that day to former teammates as they processed Kneeland’s passing.
“Definitely got to spend time with him,” Dowdle said. “He was one of the guys I did talk to in the locker room, but like I said it’s a crazy time; just shocking hearing that. Death is not easy for anybody but it’s definitely shocking just hearing—the high-spirited great person guy—just smiling all the time and a great teammate.”
Despite these challenges on Thursday for both himself personally and within football circles more broadly—Dowdle reflected on how community generosity helped bring hope: “It turned into something much bigger and like I said for a greater cause. America needs things like that.”
