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.
"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.
"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.
"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."
If you need support and advice on OCD, you can contact the International OCD Foundation via its website.