NFL Kicker Goes Viral for Pre-Kick Rituals Amid Playoff Victory, Highlighting His OCD Struggles
NFL Kicker Goes Viral for Pre-Kick Rituals Amid Playoff Victory, Highlighting His OCD Struggles
The 29-year-old kicker made a game-winning field goal as time expired, securing a victory for his Washington Commanders against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and advancing to the divisional round of the 2024 NFL playoffs. However, following the game, attention shifted from his clutch performance to his pre-kick routine, which was captured by TV cameras. Gonzalez was seen adjusting his socks and shoes repeatedly before heading to the field. Once there, he combed his hair multiple times before putting on his helmet, only to remove it and repeat the process.
His unique pre-kick habits sparked some playful teasing on social media, but they are part of his way of managing his obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The former Arizona State standout has openly shared how OCD affects his daily life.
“It makes you a perfectionist and more detail-oriented,” Gonzalez said in a 2017 ESPN interview. “Off the field, it’s a pain in the butt.”
OCD is characterized by intrusive thoughts and urges that cause significant anxiety, which individuals often try to alleviate through repetitive behaviors. Gonzalez, who has been vocal about his OCD journey, explained that these actions, though inconvenient, offer temporary relief from the distressing thoughts.
During his time with the Carolina Panthers, he described how OCD was more pronounced in his youth, manifesting in small, quirky habits. “I’ve done a lot of research on it,” he shared in a 2021 interview. “Sometimes I rinse my hands before kicks… it instantly makes you feel relieved. I don’t know if it’s a placebo effect, but I’ve learned to cope with it.”
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