ASHBURN, Va. – Zane Gonzalez became a social media sensation after his kick sent the Washington Commanders to the NFC divisional round on Sunday night. As the NBC cameras captured his pre-kick routine during the climax of Washington’s victory over the Detroit Lions, Gonzalez, a journeyman kicker, garnered attention for adjusting his socks and running his hands through his hair. What many did not realize is that Gonzalez has been living with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) since childhood, and his routine was a manifestation of his condition.
Gonzalez shared that his OCD involves repetitive behaviors that help him manage intrusive thoughts. Since the game, he has received an outpouring of support from the community and others who also deal with OCD. He emphasized the challenges of living with OCD, describing the constant feeling of anxiety and the need to perform certain rituals to ease his mind.
Despite the online scrutiny, Gonzalez remains focused on managing his condition and has learned to cope with it over the years. His wife, Lizzy, who has been supportive and understanding, highlighted his struggles with OCD in social media posts while defending him against negative comments. Gonzalez explained how his OCD has evolved from childhood, where he would fixate on specific tasks for hours, to his adulthood, where he has developed better strategies to handle his condition.
Both Zane and Lizzy Gonzalez find humor in the spotlight on Zane’s OCD during games, even if online criticism can be hurtful. Zane acknowledged the challenges he faces but remains resilient in managing his condition as he continues his football career.
“Staying steady and focused, Gonzalez, a former Arizona State kicker, commented on his progress in managing his rituals and routines. He mentioned feeling more at ease with handling them, thanks to the support of his teammates who have made light of the situation. During a recent special teams meeting, long-snapper Tyler Ott acknowledged the success of the specialist group, which includes Gonzalez and punter Tress Way, for their collaboration on a game-winning play in Tampa Bay. Ott recognized that everyone has their own pre-game rituals to get in the right mindset, and he commended Gonzalez for not being self-conscious about his behaviors.
Commanders head coach Dan Quinn expressed his admiration for Gonzalez’s openness about his OCD, highlighting the courage it takes to share his experiences and potentially help others facing similar challenges. Gonzalez, a seventh-round draft pick who has had stints with several NFL teams, embraced the opportunity to step in as Washington’s kicker and has delivered consistent performances since joining the team in December.
Despite the turnover at the kicker position this season, Gonzalez’s reliability and the cohesion among the specialist group have been crucial for the Commanders. Ott emphasized the importance of their teamwork and shared experiences, both on and off the field, in building a strong bond within the unit. Gonzalez’s success on the field, including a season-long 52-yard field goal and a flawless performance in the postseason, has been a source of pride for him and a testament to the support he has received from the organization and his teammates.
Overall, Gonzalez expressed gratitude for the opportunity to be part of the Commanders and praised the organization for fostering a positive environment. He acknowledged the camaraderie within the team and his role in contributing to their collective success.”
The article was first featured in USA TODAY: Zane Gonzalez brings OCD into focus as Commanders kicker.
