NFL: Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle was fined for his “two-pump” celebration.

Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle was fined for “excessive celebration” that included two pelvic thrusts.

After scoring a touchdown during Sunday’s win at the Green Bay Packers, Dowdle was disciplined for unsportsmanlike conduct.

That led to a 15-yard penalty, delaying the extra point attempt, and despite missing the kick, the Panthers clinched a 16-13 win with a field goal as time expired.

According to ESPN, 27-year-old Dowdle was also fined $14,491 (£11,095).

The lawsuit against Dowdle refuted a supposed NFL rule described in a Key & Peele comedy sketch in 2013.

The NFL’s list of prohibited acts includes taunting, any violent gesture such as simulating a gun, and “prolonged or excessive celebrations or demonstrations by an individual or multiple players.”

In the Key & Peele sketch, an American football referee, played by Jordan Peele, would throw the penalty flag for a “three-pump” celebration by Keegan-Michael Key’s character, Hingle McRingleberry, but the two-pump was deemed acceptable.

Key responded on social media, saying: “Rico! Man, I got robbed – I only did two pumps. I’m sorry man. Now we gotta write a new sketch.”

“We’ve got to make sure we understand the rules. Maybe I’ll have to call Keegan-Michael Key to get clarification on that part of it,” Carolina coach Dave Canales said Sunday.

“But from what I understand, any kind of movement that way, or any weapons, or all of these things will be reported. We have to be smarter about that.”