Zane Gonzalez, kicker for the Washington Commanders, captured national attention during Sunday’s playoff game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Before his game-winning field goal, viewers watched him meticulously adjust his socks and fix his hair. What many didn’t know is that these actions stem from a lifetime of living with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
Gonzalez, now 29, has faced the challenges of OCD since childhood. Whether resetting his alarm clock 100 times or navigating intrusive thoughts, he understands the mental battle well. His playoff heroics, culminating in a dramatic field goal that banked off the upright to secure Washington’s first postseason win in nearly 20 years, have offered him a platform to shed light on living with OCD.
“Anyone with OCD knows it’s a mental struggle,” Gonzalez said. “You think of the worst-case scenarios, even if they’re unrealistic. It’s just the way your mind works sometimes.”
His wife, Lizzy, shared a TikTok addressing misconceptions, emphasizing that Gonzalez’s routines are not about nerves but part of managing his condition. Teammates and coaches have rallied around him, celebrating his resilience both on and off the field.
Special teams coach Larry Izzo praised Gonzalez for stabilizing the kicker position, while Coach Dan Quinn lauded his courage in speaking openly about OCD.
Through his story, Gonzalez hopes to inspire others. “There are so many people dealing with struggles at home,” he said. “It’s been amazing to see the community come together.”
As the Commanders advance, Gonzalez’s impact goes far beyond the field.
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Photo: Getty