Featured Image Credit: Sky Sports
Topics: NFL, Mental Health, Football, Viral, Sport
Niamh Shackleton
Fans are only just piecing together Zane Gonzalez's apparent pre-kick regime.
Gonzalez is placekicker for the Washington Commanders and secured his team a momentous win against Tampa Bay Buccaneers yesterday (January 12).
It was Gonzalez's 37-yard kick that secured Washington its first playoff win in almost 20 years.
But ahead of the huge moment, people spotted that Gonzalez seems to have a quite a niche pre-kick routine.
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In the lead up to the kick, Gonzalez was seen messing with his shoes and socks — apparently needing his socks in the perfect position on his feet.
Elsewhere the 29-year-old was spotted repeatedly smoothing out his hair before putting his helmet on.
People online suggested that Gonzalez was nervous before his big moment.
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"I was watching that like no way he makes this kick," one person said on Twitter.
"He looked scared," said a second sports fan.
A third added: "That was the most nervous I've ever seen a kicker in my life watching football."
While some people poked fun at Gonzalez's pre-game rituals, after people read up on his OCD diagnosis (and after he achieved that historic kick), many changed their tune.
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"For Zane Gonzalez, it doesn't matter how you get ready... just as long as you're ready," one sports page said.
Someone else echoed: "Whatever he needs to do is just fine with me!"
Speaking about having the condition, Gonzalez previously told Charlotte Observer: "It affected me a lot more as a young kid.
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"It’s just little thoughts, little funny habits that I do."
Speaking about his pre-kick routine specifically, he further shared: "Sometimes I rinse my hands before kicks. And I was kind of curious about that.
"But that’s one of the most common things that people with OCD do. It instantly makes you just feel relieved. I don’t know why, if it’s just a placebo effect.
"It’s not something I love having. But it just is what it is, and I’ve learned to deal with it."
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If you need support and advice on OCD, you can contact the International OCD Foundation via its website.