Commanders Playoff Hero Opens Up About Mental Health Battle.
Washington Commanders kicker Zane Gonzalez became an unexpected hero in his team’s 23-20 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC Wild Card Round on January 12. His 37-yard field goal as time expired secured the Commanders’ first playoff win since 2005.
However, social media quickly fixated on his pre-kick rituals, which included repeatedly adjusting his sock, taking off his shoe, and brushing his hair. These actions went viral, with many unaware that they were linked to Gonzalez’s lifelong struggle with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), a condition he was diagnosed with as a child.
Gonzalez addressed the attention, explaining that while his family was upset by the focus on his tics, he had long been accustomed to them. He acknowledged how strange they looked, but emphasized that it was part of who he was. The dramatic nature of his game-winning kick, which bounced off the upright before going through, added to the spotlight on him.
Gonzalez’s journey to the NFL is marked by his exceptional college career at Arizona State, where he set multiple records and earned prestigious honors, including the Lou Groza Award and unanimous All-American recognition. Despite this, his NFL career has been that of a journeyman, having played for several teams since being drafted by the Cleveland Browns in 2017.
Before 2024, Gonzalez hadn’t kicked in a regular season game since 2021. But with the Commanders, he flourished, hitting 5-of-7 field goals and 19-of-19 extra points, and playing the best football of his career during the playoff game against the Buccaneers.
OCD affects 1 in 100 adults and 1 in 200 children, according to the World Health Organization.
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