CHARLOTTE — Thursday was about finding something good out of something negative for Rico Dowdle.

It started when the Panthers' running back was fined by the NFL for his touchdown celebration in Carolina's win against the Packers on Sunday. Dowdle, who returned to practice on Thursday after sitting out Wednesday, joked on social media that he was going to start a GoFundMe to raise money to pay his fine.

That was obviously something he wasn't actually going to do. However, GoFundMe saw the tweet and saw an opportunity to do some good in the world. They reached out to Dowdle and his agent and asked if he wanted to turn the response from fans into a blessing for the Carolinas.

Dowdle elected to raise funds for the Children’s Home Society of North Carolina, which promotes the right of every child to a permanent, safe, and loving family. They specialize in education and prevention programs, family preservation, and adoption and foster care.

"So glad to be able to turn that into a great cause," Dowdle said Thursday afternoon.

At the time of publication, the fundraiser had topped $20,000-plus and climbing. The goals have been reset several times during the day as teammates, coaches, and fans continue to donate.

"Kind of surprised, but you know, not really because there's a lot of people in the world that got a good heart, so not surprising from that perspective," Dowdle said. "There's a bunch of good people in the Carolina fan base, and those guys and people who have seen it, so very proud of those guys.

"Definitely thankful for everybody that was able to actually donate to a greater cause. Those kids are really in need, and the foundation it's a good thing."

While the fundraiser may have started as a joke, it ultimately provided solace and a touchstone for Dowdle on what unexpectedly became a complicated and emotional day. News shook the NFL world early Thursday morning that Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland had passed away.

Kneeland and Dowdle played together in Dallas last season, and the news about his friend admittedly shook the running back.

"Yeah, and I want to say condolences to him," Dowdle said when broached with the subject. "Tough time, keep him in your prayers, his family in your prayers, the Cowboys organization, and just a tough time. Young kid, very spirited, and like I said, just keep him and his family in your prayers."

The veteran said he would be reaching out to his former Dallas teammates later in the afternoon as the group tried to make sense of the incomprehensible. For now, it was about remembering his friend.

"Definitely got to spend time with him," Dowdle said. "He was one of the guys I did talk to in the locker room, but like I said, it's a crazy time, just shocking hearing that. Death is not easy for anybody, but it's definitely shocking, just hearing the high-spirited, great person, guy, just smiling all the time, and a great teammate."

Through it all, though, Rico Dowdle was able to look back at his silver lining: the donations that continued to rise to help kids in his home state, a product of a celebration and a joke, and the dose of hope he needed on a day that was bleak.

Said Dowdle, "It turned into something much bigger and like I said, for a greater cause. America needs things like that."