Commanders’ Kicker Zane Gonzalez Opens Up About OCD Amid Viral Playoff Moment

ASHBURN, Va. — Zane Gonzalez, the Washington Commanders‘ kicker, became an overnight sensation last Sunday after his game-winning field goal against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFL wild-card round. But it wasn’t just his clutch performance that captured attention—it was his meticulous pre-kick routine, which has since sparked conversations about obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

Gonzalez, 29, secured a 23-20 victory for the Commanders with a 47-yard field goal as time expired, sending his team to the divisional round of the 2024 NFL playoffs. However, TV cameras also captured his unique pre-kick habits, including repeatedly adjusting his socks, brushing his hair, and tapping his helmet before finally putting it on. The footage quickly went viral, drawing both curiosity and criticism on social media.

For Gonzalez, the routine is more than just superstition—it’s a coping mechanism for his OCD, a mental health disorder he has openly discussed throughout his career. “It makes you a perfectionist and more detail-oriented,” Gonzalez said. “Off the field, it’s a pain in the butt.”

OCD is a chronic condition characterized by cycles of obsessions and compulsions, according to Matthew Antonelli, interim executive director of the International OCD Foundation. “People with OCD usually recognize that using compulsions is only a temporary solution, but without any other way to cope, they rely on compulsions as a brief escape,” Antonelli explained.

Gonzalez’s wife, Lizzy, defended him on TikTok, posting a video with the caption, “Scram, leave her alone, she doesn’t want to talk to you.” Gonzalez himself has taken the attention in stride, using the moment to raise awareness about OCD. “It’s a little routine going through it every time,” he said. “It just happened to be on a bigger stage, so there’s just a lot more attention on it.”

His teammates have rallied around him, with long-snapper Camaron Cheeseman noting that many players have their own pre-game rituals. “Everybody in the locker room has something they revert back to to get into the moment,” Cheeseman said. “Obviously, he got a little more attention.”

Gonzalez’s journey with OCD began in grade school, where he struggled with repetitive behaviors and intrusive thoughts. “I used to be a little bit more self-conscious, not as confident as a person,” he recalled. “You’re more adamant about trying not to show people.” Over time, he has learned to manage the disorder through therapy and self-acceptance.

On the field, Gonzalez has been a stabilizing force for the Commanders, who have cycled through multiple kickers this season. In six games, he has made 5 of 7 field goals and all 19 extra points. His game-winning kick against the Buccaneers marked the Commanders’ first playoff victory since 2005.

Washington head coach Dan Quinn praised Gonzalez for his openness about OCD. “I am super happy that he was able to discuss that,” Quinn said. “If that is a chance for him to assist one other person, I think that takes just a lot of courage.”

As the Commanders prepare for their divisional-round matchup, Gonzalez’s story serves as a reminder of the challenges many athletes face beyond the field. “There’s all sorts of people that walk through life dealing with struggles on a day-to-day basis,” Gonzalez said. “A lot of it’s at home that people don’t see.”