Commanders kicker Zane Gonzalez accepts CSO after viral pregame kick routine: ‘That’s me’
Zane Gonzalez opened up about his relationship with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) after television cameras captured his pre-batting routine in last weekend’s win over the Wild-Card team. Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Gonzalez, who is in his first season with Commanders from Washingtonhe was seen alternately fixing his hair, adjusting his socks and putting his helmet on his head.
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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 hit a 37-yard field goal to lead the Commanders to a 23-20 victory over the Bucs. Washington will travel to Detroit to take over top-seeded Lions in the divisional round.
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While there was some speculation that Gonzalez’s actions were just part of the sport’s superstition, the striker said it actually stemmed from his OCD.
“If anything, it upsets my wife and family more than me,” Gonzalez said The Washington Post.
Washington Commanders’ Zane Gonzalez, right, is congratulated by teammates after making the game-winning field goal against the Buccaneers in Tampa, Fla., Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)
“I’m used to it. … Everybody that’s known me or seen me hit, they’ve seen me do it a million times. Being on a big stage like that on a Sunday night, a game winner, it gets a little more attention, I” I’ve learned. That’s what I’m going through, and I, more than anyone else, understand how crazy that looks.”
Gonzalez was diagnosed with the disorder as a child, and this is not the first time he has spoken out about his condition. In 2017, he told ESPN, “OCD makes you a perfectionist and more detail-oriented. Off the field, it’s a pain in the ass.”
Former the state of Arizona The kicker said he applied methods to counteract some of the effects of the disorder on his daily life and applied those practices to his game day preparations.
Washington Commanders’ Zane Gonzalez kicks a 52-yard field goal against the Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on Jan. 12, 2025, in Tampa. (Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
“There’s a few things I try to do to keep it under the radar as much as I can, just understanding, getting it done and doing whatever it is that mentally prepares me to get on the field,” he said. “The helmet is literally the last thing I do.”
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Gonzalez did not shoot NFL 2022 or 2023, but was signed to Washington’s practice squad in November 2024 and later promoted to the active roster. He was 5-for-7 on field goals this season, while also completing 100% of his field goal attempts.
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