Washington Commanders kicker Zane Gonzalez unwittingly found himself in the spotlight after his game-winning field goal against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Wild Card round of the NFL playoffs. The cameras caught Gonzalez going through an elaborate pre-kick routine – adjusting his sock and hair, tapping his helmet multiple times – before drilling a 37-yarder off the upright and through as time expired. While the moment went viral on social media, Gonzalez saw it as an opportunity to raise awareness about a disorder he’s dealt with his entire life: obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
Turning a Viral Moment into an Educational Opportunity
Rather than shying away from the attention, Gonzalez embraced it as a platform to educate others about OCD. He acknowledged his pre-kick routine was a manifestation of the disorder, noting “it’s a little routine going through it every time. It just happened to be on a bigger stage, so there’s just a lot more attention on it.” Gonzalez and his wife, Lizzy, even made light of the moment, with her posting a humorous TikTok video defending him from critics. “We try to have fun in life as much as we can,” Gonzalez remarked. “That situation, we tried to see the bright part of it. I mean, I made the kick. Whatever happened before, happened before.”
Overwhelming Support from the OCD Community
The viral moment led to an outpouring of support from others living with OCD, many of whom reached out to Gonzalez directly to thank him for shedding light on the often misunderstood disorder. “There’s all sorts of people that walk through life dealing with struggles on a day-to-day [basis], and a lot of it’s at home that people don’t see,” Gonzalez noted, sharing how his own OCD manifests in his daily life, such as repeatedly checking his alarm clock. “For example, like last night resetting my alarm about 100 times making sure it’s OK kind of gets on my wife’s nerves a little bit, but at times it’s just kind of how it goes.”
Gonzalez’s Lifelong Battle with OCD
Gonzalez, who was diagnosed with OCD in grade school, opened up about the challenges he’s faced over the years. He recounted instances where his OCD would be debilitating, such as rewriting the same letter for hours when working on a school assignment. “I remember as a kid, I would get really upset to the point where it was like I really couldn’t even do my homework,” he shared. Gonzalez credits his parents for helping him cope, often encouraging him to take breaks and regroup. “My dad would take me outside on a walk, go play soccer — do something to get my mind off it, and then come back to it. That was their way of addressing it for me: Just getting me away from whatever that was. It was pretty much crippling me at that time.”
Learning to Manage OCD On and Off the Field
As he matured, Gonzalez learned strategies to better manage his OCD, including working with therapists. While he used to be more self-conscious about his tics and routines, he’s grown to accept them as part of who he is. His teammates have also been supportive, with many not even realizing he had OCD until the viral moment. Long snapper Tyler Ott noted “everybody in the locker room has something they revert back to to get into the moment,” adding that Gonzalez is “not sensitive” about the extra attention. Special teams coach Larry Izzo agreed, saying “he has his processes and everybody is unique. But, yeah, try not to make much of a big deal about it.”
I am super happy that he was able to discuss that, and if that is a chance for him to assist one other person, I think that takes just a lot of courage and tells you a lot about who he is, not just as a ballplayer but as a man.
— Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn
Gonzalez hopes that by being open about his journey, he can help destigmatize OCD and encourage others who may be struggling. “Whenever you’re having one of those situations come up, whatever it may be, you think the worst possible situation’s going to come of it,” he explained. “It could be the most unrealistic, crazy, unimaginable thing, and people will be like, ‘You’re crazy for thinking that stuff.’ Which, I’m aware I’m crazy to think that stuff. But that tic just constantly is like kneading at you. It’s never-ending. It’s always just there.”
A Steadying Presence for the Commanders
On the field, Gonzalez has been a steadying presence for a Commanders team that cycled through four kickers this season due to injuries. In his six games with Washington, he’s made 5 of 7 field goals and all 19 extra points, none bigger than the playoff game-winner against Tampa Bay. As the Commanders prepare to face the Detroit Lions in the divisional round, they’ll lean on Gonzalez’s leg — and his hard-earned mental fortitude — to help keep their postseason run alive. Regardless of the outcome, Gonzalez has already made an impact by using his platform to normalize the conversation around OCD and mental health in sports. His courage and vulnerability have resonated with fans and teammates alike, showcasing the power of authenticity and self-acceptance.
