Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle learned the hard way that you shouldn't trust everything you see on TV. Dowdle announced Wednesday that he was fined for a celebration in Sunday's game that paid tribute to a "Key and Peele" skit.

The celebration — which occurred after the running back scored a third-quarter touchdown against the Green Bay Packers — involved Dowdle thrusting his pelvis forward twice. He was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct for his actions.

The Panthers went on to win the contest 16-13.

The celebration is a nod to a "Key and Peele" skit in which a football player named Hingle McCringleberry celebrates a touchdown in the exact same manner. The entire premise of the skit is that McCringleberry can get away with two pelvic thrusts — or "pumps," as the video calls them — but always gets penalized when he pumps a third time. He continues to test the boundaries of that rule during the sketch, getting flagged multiple times for thrusting three times.

Dowdle learned Sunday those same rules don't apply in the NFL.

Comedian and actor Keegan Michael Key — who wrote the sketch and played McCringleberry — had fun with the moment, posting a video saying Dowdle shouldn't have been flagged for doing two pumps. 

The NFL apparently decided the flag wasn't enough. Dowdle — and his agent — implied he was fined by the NFL on Wednesday for his celebration. Dowdle said he was starting a GoFundMe after "they got me." By "they," Dowdle presumably meant the NFL. Dowdle's agent, David Canter, appeared to confirm the fine, responding to Dowdle's tweet by saying the fine would be appealed. 

That fine is reportedly for $14,491, a source told ESPN.

Dowdle wasn't joking about starting up a GoFundMe, though he's doing it for a good cause. Dowdle had some fun with the situation, initially writing, "After much thought I've launched a GoFundMe for my fines. Key said I got three pumps but I guess the NFL disagrees."

Below that, however, Dowdle announced any money donated to his GoFundMe will be given to the Children's Home Society of North Carolina. He's already raised over $14,000 toward his goal.

The 27-year-old Dowdle is in the midst of a breakout season with the Panthers. After starting the year as the No. 2 option on the depth chart, Dowdle thrust himself into a larger role after rushing for over 180 yards in two straight games. He turned in another performance of 100+ rushing yards during the team's Week 9 win over the Packers.

After spending his first four seasons in Dallas, Dowdle signed a one-year, $2.7 million deal with the Panthers in the offseason. He's on pace to obliterate his career-high of 1,079 rushing yards this season. In nine games, Dowdle has rushed for 735 yards.