ASHBURN, Va. – Before Zane Gonzalez sent the Washington Commanders to the NFC divisional round with his game-winning kick on Sunday night, he had already gone viral online.

As NBC focused on him during the exciting end of the 23-20 win for Washington, footage showed him adjusting his socks and running his hands through his hair, leading to mixed reactions online ranging from humor to cruelty. In reality, Gonzalez has been managing obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) since he was a child, and this behavior is part of his pre-kick routine due to the condition.

“It’s just a little routine I follow every time,” Gonzalez explained two days prior to the Commanders’ playoff game against the Detroit Lions. “To me, it feels like just more of the same.

“It just happened to occur on a bigger platform, so it drew additional attention. But honestly, for me, nothing changes; it all remains the same.”

Since Sunday, Gonzalez mentioned he has received a “tremendous amount of support” from people, along with numerous messages from others sharing their own stories about living with OCD, which often involves repetitive actions as a way to cope with persistent worries.

“I really hope more people can grasp how challenging it is to explain the mindset that comes with OCD,” he said. “When you face those moments, your mind tends to go to the worst-case scenario, no matter how far-fetched it may be. People might call you crazy for having those thoughts – and I know they sound irrational – but it’s a relentless nagging sensation that stays with you. It’s something you get used to and learn to live with.”

Gonzalez has spoken openly about dealing with OCD for several years, stating that over time, he has learned to navigate it more effectively.

“Many people go through various struggles daily, often behind closed doors where no one can see,” noted the 29-year-old kicker.

For instance, he shared that he spent Wednesday night resetting his alarm about 100 times to ensure it would wake him up in the morning.

“Sure, it gets a bit annoying for my wife, but that’s how it goes sometimes,” Gonzalez admitted.

As a child, if Gonzalez misspelled a word or wrote a letter incorrectly, he would spend hours repeating the same word instead of completing his larger assignment. His father had to take him out for walks or soccer practice to help him cope.

“I’ve definitely improved since I was younger, but as an adult, I feel I manage it much better now,” he added.

Gonzalez’s wife, Lizzy, took to social media to highlight her husband’s experience with OCD while defending him against negative comments. She observes his pre-kick habits during games, which don’t surprise her, as they are part of his routine at practice.

“For us, it’s amusing how something that would normally be private is displayed on such a grand stage,” Gonzalez mentioned.

Though Lizzy might feel slightly more offended by the online negativity.

“I’ve had my share of missed and made big kicks in my career, so I aim to stay calm and keep moving forward,” shared Gonzalez, who played at Arizona State in college. “I’d say she’s learning to deal with it better over time.”

Gonzalez is someone who can appreciate humor, and his teammates have made sure he’s not self-conscious about his rituals. In a meeting this week, long-snapper Tyler Ott mentioned that the specialist team—including Gonzalez, Ott, and punter Tress Way, who holds for field goals—had received praise for their successful execution during the game-winning kick against Tampa Bay.

“I think everyone in the locker room has something they rely on to focus,” Ott observed. “He just happens to have gotten a bit more exposure for it.”

Ott mentioned he wouldn’t have known about Gonzalez’s OCD if he hadn’t been aware of his sock adjustments and hand movements, which he has witnessed for several months.

“He doesn’t take it personally,” Ott commented.

Commanders head coach Dan Quinn stated he hasn’t discussed Gonzalez’s OCD with him, but he is “super happy” that Gonzalez has been open about it since helping Washington advance in the playoffs.

“If this can help even one other person, it shows great courage and speaks volumes about who he is, not just as an athlete but as a person,” Quinn remarked.

Drafted in the seventh round by the Cleveland Browns in 2017, Gonzalez was waived the following season and signed with the Arizona Cardinals. He also spent time with the Lions, Carolina Panthers, and San Francisco 49ers, but he hadn’t played in an NFL game since 2021 before this season.

He has been on the Commanders’ active roster since December 2 as a replacement for Austin Seibert, who was the primary kicker before injuries sidelined him. Cade York started the season as the team kicker but was released after Week 1. Greg Joseph also kicked in Week 15 when both Seibert and Gonzalez were injured.

“He’s been fantastic given the constant changes we’ve experienced in that position,” said special teams coordinator Larry Izzo. “He’s really solidified the role and stepped up, so we’re pleased with him.

“He has his own approach to things, and everyone is different in that regard. But really, we don’t want to make too much of a fuss about it. At the end of the day, he went out and made the kick, and that’s all that matters.”

With the turnover at the kicker position this year, the consistent performance of Way and Ott has ensured a smooth transition, especially after the team cut long-snapper Cameron Cheeseman last season. Ott referred to it as a “strange year” for the specialists amidst injuries and roster changes, but like the rest of the team, they’ve bonded over dinners and drinks or shared meals while traveling.

“Thankfully, Tress and I have maintained a steady partnership, which aids the operation… we do our best to support the kickers,” Ott shared.

For Washington, Gonzalez’s accuracy stands at 8-for-10 (including playoffs), hitting all three of his attempts in the postseason while making all 21 extra-point tries. Earlier in the game against the Buccaneers, he successfully kicked a season-high 52-yard field goal.

“It’s been truly amazing,” González said regarding his time with the Commanders. “I’m genuinely thankful for the entire organization. Everyone here is wonderful, and they’re building something unique. I’m just thrilled to contribute my part.”