Washington Commanders Kicker Zane Gonzalez Opens Up About OCD After Game-Winning Field Goal

Washington Commanders kicker Zane Gonzalez recently discussed his obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) after fan reactions to his pre-kick rituals during a playoff game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Gonzalez, 29, was observed pulling his hair, tapping his helmet, and adjusting his socks before kicking the game-winning field goal on January 12th. This behavior, while familiar to those who know him, drew attention and some negative comments online, prompting Gonzalez to address his OCD publicly.

Gonzalez has lived with OCD for as long as he can remember and has spoken about it before. He explained to The Washington Post that his OCD manifests differently in various situations. “On the football field, sometimes it acts up a little bit more, and then in my personal life, it’s there — like, I have to touch the bottom of every cup — but I just kind of try to do whatever I can to hide it,” he stated. He acknowledges that it’s something he’s learned to live with constantly.

The pre-kick rituals began in his teens, and he tries to keep them discreet. He performs specific actions to prepare himself mentally for the kick, understanding that they help him focus.

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Gonzalez described tapping his helmet as the final step in his routine. While he’s accustomed to the rituals, he admitted that negative online comments affect his family more than him. “If anything, it makes my wife and family more upset than it does with me,” he said. He recognizes that his actions might appear unusual, stating, “I’m used to it. … Everybody that’s known or seen me kick has seen me do it millions of times.”

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The high-pressure situation of a game-winning field goal in a nationally televised playoff game amplified the attention on his pre-kick behaviors. Gonzalez acknowledged the heightened scrutiny, stating, “Being on such a big stage on Sunday night, a game-winner, it draws a little bit more attention, I’ve learned. It’s who I am, and it’s what I go through, and I, above everybody else, realize how crazy it looks doing it. I’m aware. But at the same time, you can’t help it.”

Despite the added pressure and scrutiny, Gonzalez delivered a crucial victory for the Commanders, securing their first playoff win since 2006. He described the winning kick as the “biggest bank shot” of his career, though he would have preferred a cleaner shot without hitting the goalpost.

The Commanders’ playoff run ended with a loss to the Detroit Lions in the following round, preventing them from reaching the NFC Championship. However, Gonzalez’s performance and openness about his OCD have resonated with fans and brought attention to the challenges of living with mental health conditions.