In an extraordinary turn of events, the Washington Commanders found themselves facing an unprecedented challenge as both their kickers, Zane Gonzalez and Greg Joseph, missed practice on Wednesday due to their wives going into labor at the same time. This rare occurrence left coach Dan Quinn reacting with astonishment, stating “Never a dull moment around here.”
Gonzalez and Joseph Welcome New Additions
For Zane Gonzalez and his wife Lizzy, the day marked the arrival of their first child, a baby boy named Luca. The couple, who married within the past year, had eagerly anticipated their son’s birth, with Zane mentioning Lizzy on Instagram as the “soon to be mother of our baby boy Luca!” just a week prior.
Meanwhile, Greg Joseph and his wife Taylor also expect their first child, a boy due in January according to an earlier Instagram post. While details of Taylor’s labor are not yet known, the coincidental timing of both kickers’ wives giving birth on the same day adds an extraordinary twist to the Commanders’ season.
Kicking Contingency Plans
Fortunately for the Commanders, kickers typically don’t practice kicks until Thursdays, providing a small buffer for Gonzalez and Joseph to potentially return. As punter Tress Way noted, “If they’ve got [footballs] and cleats, they can kick wherever and keep their leg going. Like going to the driving range.”
In the event of an emergency where both kickers are unavailable for a game, Way revealed that he dedicates one practice day a year to kicking field goals, recently drilling attempts from the 40-45 yard range. The team could also lean on quarterback Jayden Daniels’ Hail Mary prowess, as showcased in the thrilling victory over the Chicago Bears earlier this season.
A Season of Kicking Challenges
The absence of Gonzalez and Joseph due to their wives’ simultaneous labors is just the latest twist in a tumultuous kicking saga for the Commanders this season. The team has signed a staggering seven kickers since March, with four different players attempting kicks during the regular season.
- Cade York started in Week 1
- Austin Seibert signed in Week 2, then suffered hip and groin injuries
- Zane Gonzalez signed Dec. 2, went 6-for-6 on XPs, then injured his foot
- Greg Joseph replaced Gonzalez, going 2-for-3 on FGs in Week 15
Coach Quinn has indicated that Gonzalez will reclaim the starting role once healthy. However, the unique circumstances surrounding both kickers welcoming newborns on the same day add an unforeseen variable to the Commanders’ special teams situation.
“We have to come up with a certain name if they are both born today. There’s got to be some type of twin that takes place along that.”
– Dan Quinn on the coincidental timing of his kickers’ wives giving birth
As the Washington Commanders navigate this exceptional scenario, they will undoubtedly hope for the safe arrivals of Baby Gonzalez and Baby Joseph, while devising contingencies to ensure their kicking game remains on point amidst the joyous personal milestones for Zane Gonzalez, Greg Joseph, and their growing families.
