Social media was ablaze with a joke about Commanders kicker Zane Gonzalez, but fans noticed the comment pointed to his long-standing struggle with obsessive-compulsive disorder.
After he was caught on camera performing an unconventional pre-kick routine during Sunday's wild-card win over the Buccaneers, Gonzalez was the subject of jokes on social media and even some quips on the NBC broadcast. He made the game-winning field goal in a 23-20 victory.
NBC's Mike Tirico laughed and said this was no time for a “fashion malfunction” as the camera panned to show Gonzalez touching her head and playing with her socks.
Gonzalez apparently doesn't care anymore, but his wife Lizzy Gonzalez didn't like the ensuing online jokes and told the trolls to “scrum” the TikTok post.
“If anything, it's more upsetting for my wife and family than it is for me,” Gonzalez said. washington post. “I'm used to it. …Anyone who knows me or has seen me kick, they've seen me do it a million times, on a big stage like this on Sunday night. I think winning the match means you get a little attention. I learned that. That's me, that's what I'm going through, and I understand more than anyone else how crazy it looks to do that. But at the same time. , there is nothing you can do about it.”
Gonzalez has had to answer questions about OCD for much of his career since being drafted in the seventh round of the 2017 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns.
He set multiple NCAA records and received unanimous All-American honors during his time at Arizona State, and is just one of 18 kickers drafted since 2017.
Gonzalez spent two years in Cleveland before being traded to the Cardinals and ultimately spending a season with the Panthers.
When he was a member of the Panthers in 2021, he was asked about his struggle with OCD.
“It's just a little thought or a funny habit.” he said “Specifically, sometimes I wash my hands before I kick…and I feel instant relief. I don't know why if it's just a placebo effect. It's not something I like. But it's just a fact. , I learned how to deal with it.”
Gonzalez had been out of the league for the past three years before grabbing the Commanders and kicking them to Detroit in the divisional round of the playoffs. There they will play the Lions on Saturday.
