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Commanders Clutch Player Overcoming Debilitating Disorder
Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

While Jayden Daniels is almost assuredly going to win NFL OROY, the Washington Commanders' Divisional Round playoff game Saturday night might again come own to a teammate with OCD.

Fitting of the wild, wacky, wonderful Washington season, the team's fifth kicker of the season - Zane Gonzalez - won the Wild Card game in Tampa last weekend with a last-second field goal that kissed the right upright on its way through. Before the 37-yard kick, Gonzalez was spotted by NBC cameras taking his off his cleats and adjusting his socks on the bench, and then repeatedly tapping his helmet before the kick.

Not just superstitious tics, but full on Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.

“If anything, it makes my wife and family more upset than it does with me,” Gonzalez said. “I’m used to it. … Everybody that’s known or seen me kick has seen me do it millions of times. 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.”

Gonzalez, 29, is with his sixth NFL team. He recognized his OCD when he was a child, has been public about his condition since his freshman year at Arizona State. He admits the condition helps him on the field but makes his life challenging off of it.

"It makes you a perfectionist and more detail oriented," he said. "Off the field, it's a pain in the butt. There’s a few things I try to do to keep it as under-the-radar as I can, just understanding, get it done and whatever gets me mentally ready to go on the field, do that. The helmet thing is literally the last thing I do.”

The Commanders signed Gonzalez to their practice squad on Nov. 8 and he later took over the starting duties after Austin Seibert was placed on injured reserve with a hip injury. He is one of seven kickers to be signed by the team since March and one of four who has attempted a field goal for them this season.

Gonzalez was 5-for-7 on field goals and 19-for-19 on extra points in the regular season with the Commanders and he kicked three field goals in the win over the Buccaneers.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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