Cowboys’ young player broke the ‘Key & Peele’ rule and the NFL has him paying dearly for it
The Dallas Cowboys backup tackle was hit with some news he didn’t want to hear.
Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle Nate Thomas went viral earlier in the week for his celebration of a touchdown during the team’s win over the New York Jets. During the game, Thomas was called for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, but the broadcast never showed any replay of it.
Once the All-22 film of the game came out, there was no hiding. It turns out Thomas was flagged for breaking the “Key & Peele” rule. Thomas thrust his hips three times following a Jake Ferguson touchdown. The NFL prohibits sexually suggestive celebrations, and now they’re fining Thomas for it.
Thomas was fined $4,814, the NFL announced Saturday. You can see the clip of his celebration in the X (formerly Twitter) post below. Trevon Diggs was also fined $12,172 for unnecessary roughness after he punched a Jets player.
Nate Thomas’ celebration reminds Cowboys Nation of Key & Peele sketch
The play went viral on social media as many fans remembered the famous Comedy Central sketch from “Key & Peele” in which Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele portray a player (Hingle McCringleberry) and an official. The player is fixated on celebrating touchdown plays with hip thrusts, and the sketch mocks NFL rules by comically suggesting two pumps are allowed, but the third one results in a flag.
Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer joined the fun when talking to 105.3 The Fan about it on Friday.
“Three pumps is too many,” Schottenheimer joked. “Two – You’re fine. … They were very large thrusts. They were not mini thrusts.”
Thomas’ money will go to the NFL’s Professional Athletes Foundation, which aims to “support Legends in need and the NFL Foundation to support further the health, safety, and wellness of athletes across all levels, including youth football and the communities that support the game.”
Thomas trending to return to the bench as Tyler Guyton is expected to play
Despite Thomas’ standout performance in Week 5, he is expected to return to a backup role in Week 6 when the Cowboys take on the Carolina Panthers. The Cowboys are expected to have starting left tackle Tyler Guyton back in the lineup.
Schottenheimer suggested earlier in the week that Guyton would remain the starter.
Dallas Cowboys News
Cowboys land a season-altering W without playing a down of football before Panthers matchup
Winning the NFC East is suddenly starting to look like a possibility.
