Zane Gonzalez is opening up about his relationship with obsessive-compulsive dysfunction (OCD) after tv cameras captured his pre-kick routine throughout this previous weekend’s wild-card spherical win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Gonzalez, who’s in his first season with the Washington Commanders, was seen alternating between fixing his hair, adjusting his socks, and putting his helmet on and off his head.
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Zane Gonzalez of the Washington Commanders celebrates after defeating the Buccaneers within the NFC wild-card sport at Raymond James Stadium on Jan. 12, 2025 in Tampa, Florida. (Mike Ehrmann/Getty Photographs)
Moments after Gonzalez accomplished his ritual, he nailed a 37-yard discipline aim to raise the Commanders to a 23-20 victory over the Bucs. Washington will journey to Detroit to tackle the top-seeded Lions within the divisional spherical.
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Whereas there was some hypothesis that Gonzalez’s actions have been merely a part of a sports activities superstition, the kicker mentioned it truly stems from his OCD.
“If something, it makes my spouse and household extra upset than it does with me,” Gonzalez informed The Washington Post.
Washington Commanders place kicker Zane Gonzalez, proper, is congratulated by teammates after kicking the game-winning discipline aim in opposition to the Buccaneers in Tampa, Florida, Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025. (AP Picture/Chris O’Meara)
“I’m used to it.… Everyone that’s recognized or seen me kick has seen me do it hundreds of thousands of occasions. Being on such an enormous stage on Sunday night time, a game-winner, it attracts slightly bit extra consideration, I’ve realized. It’s who I’m, and it’s what I’m going by way of, and I, above everyone else, understand how loopy it seems doing it. I’m conscious. However on the identical time, you possibly can’t assist it.”
Gonzalez was identified with the dysfunction throughout his childhood, and this isn’t the primary time he has spoken out about his situation. In 2017, he informed ESPN, “OCD makes you a perfectionist and extra detail-oriented. Off the sector, it is a ache within the butt.”
The previous Arizona State kicker mentioned he had carried out strategies to counter a few of the impacts the dysfunction has on his every day life and has utilized these practices to his sport day preparations.
Zane Gonzalez of the Washington Commanders kicks a 52-yard discipline aim in opposition to the Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on Jan. 12, 2025, in Tampa. (Julio Aguilar/Getty Photographs)
“There’s just a few issues I attempt to do to maintain it as under-the-radar as I can, simply understanding, get it achieved and no matter will get me mentally able to go on the sector, do this,” he mentioned. “The helmet factor is actually the very last thing I do.”
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Gonzalez didn’t kick in the NFL in 2022 or 2023, however he was signed to Washington’s observe squad in November 2024 and later elevated to the lively roster. He was 5-for-7 on discipline targets this season, whereas additionally making 100% of his additional level makes an attempt.
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