Zane Gonzalez is opening up about his relationship with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) after television cameras captured his pre-kick routine during last weekend’s wild-card round win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Gonzalez, who is in his first season with the Washington Commanders, was seen alternating between fixing his hair, adjusting his socks and putting on and taking off his helmet.
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Zane Gonzalez of the Washington Commanders celebrates after defeating the Buccaneers in the NFC Wild Card game at Raymond James Stadium on January 12, 2025 in Tampa, Florida. (Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Moments after Gonzalez completed his ritual, he kicked a 37-yard field goal to lead the Commanders to a 23-20 victory over the Bucs. Washington will travel to Detroit to face the top-seeded Lions in the divisional round.
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While there was some speculation that Gonzalez’s actions were simply part of a sports superstition, the kicker said it’s actually due to his OCD.
“If anything, this bothers my wife and family more than it bothers me,” González told the Washington Post.
Washington Commanders kicker Zane Gonzalez, right, is congratulated by his teammates after kicking the winning field goal against the Buccaneers in Tampa, Fla., Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)
“I’m used to it…Everyone who knows me or has seen me kick has seen me do it a million times. Being on such a big stage on Sunday night, a winning game, draws a little more attention.” I have learned. “It’s who I am, and it’s what I go through, and I, of all people, realize how crazy it seems to do it, but at the same time, I can’t help it.”
González was diagnosed with the disorder during his childhood and this is not the first time he has spoken about his condition. In 2017, he told ESPN: “OCD makes you perfectionist and more detail-oriented. Off the field, it’s a pain in the ass.”
The former Arizona State kicker said he has implemented methods to counteract some of the impacts the disorder has on his daily life and has applied those practices to his game-day preparations.
Zane Gonzalez of the Washington Commanders kicks a 52-yard field goal against the Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on January 12, 2025 in Tampa. (Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
“There’s some things I try to do to keep it as hidden as possible, just understand it, do it and do whatever gets me mentally prepared to go out on the field,” he said. “The helmet thing is literally the last thing I do.”
González did not play in the NFL in 2022 or 2023, but was signed to Washington’s practice squad in November 2024 and later promoted to the active roster. He was 5 of 7 on field goals this season, while also making 100% of his extra point attempts.
