Why Are NFL Teams Warning Players About Hip Thrusts After Rico Dowdle TD Celebration?

Teams around the NFL want the Hingle McCringleberry tributes kept to a minimum, according to The Athletic's Dianna Russini.

Russini reported Saturday that "teams are reminding players to keep the thrusting off the field," with some coaches prohibiting the hip-pump celebration altogether.

"Any hip thrust is too many," one coach purportedly told his squad, per Russini.

The Carolina Panthers even invited comedian Keegan-Michael Key on a video call to reiterate the trend he helped to inspire had no bearing on reality:

Key and Key & Peele co-star Jordan Peele produced a skit predicated on a fictional football rule that allowed players to pump their hips twice. The third pump resulted in a flag and was carefully monitored by the referee.

More than a decade after the skit originally aired, it has become popular again thanks to Panthers running back Rico Dowdle.

Dowdle received a $14,491 fine from the NFL for what it deemed an "obscene gesture" after he thrust his hips twice after scoring a touchdown in a 16-13 win over the Green Bay Packers.

A week later, the veteran ball-carrier had learned his lesson.

Beyond the fine, Dowdle's double-pump carried a cost for Carolina. His unsportsmanlike penalty moved the ball back 15 yards, and Ryan Fitzgerald missed the extra point.

As long as the NFL maintains what amounts to a zero-tolerance policy for this, coaches will be loathe to see their players draw avoidable penalties.