Dowdle, coming off a career game, will face his old team Sunday.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Revenge games hit different, and Rico Dowdle wants to make his count this week against the Dallas Cowboys.
After a career game on Sunday, the Carolina Panthers running back directed a message to his former team: “Buckle up.”
There is obvious motivation for Dowdle, after the Cowboys did not re-sign him in the offseason.
In fact, Dowdle said he did not even receive an offer to stay.
“They did allow me to live out my dream for my five years there, so no hard feelings,” Dowdle noted. “Nature of the business on why I didn’t return there. There was no offer made. Definitely be looking to prove it to them.”
The 27-year-old landed in Carolina as the back-up to Panthers starter Chuba Hubbard.
With Hubbard sidelined in Week 5 due to an injury, Dowdle took advantage of his opportunity — rushing for more than 200 yards in a comeback win over the Miami Dolphins.
A performance that prompted a text from Dowdle’s former teammate and Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott.
“I like Rico. I love Rico,” Prescott said. “I just texted him at the end of last game, ‘Helluva job running for 200.'”
While adrenaline may have influenced Dowdle’s initial “buckle up” comment last week, the ex-Cowboy doubled down on his remark when speaking to reporters on Wednesday.
“They gotta buckle up, stand on that,” Dowdle said. “Buckle them chin straps up tight, and I will be coming.”
So, will the Cowboys buckle up?
“We have to. We’re getting on a plane,” Prescott smirked.