INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Under the bright lights of SoFi Stadium and the national gaze of Monday Night Football, Atlanta Falcons kicker Zane Gonzalez delivered a performance for the ages. But shortly after his 41-yard game-winning field goal split the uprights to secure a 23-20 victory over the Los Angeles Rams, Gonzalez delivered a message that resonated far beyond the scoreboard.
In an emotional post-game interview, Gonzalez revealed that he has been battling a diagnosed obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) throughout the 2025 season. The 30-year-old kicker, who has been a pillar of consistency for Atlanta, spoke candidly about the “mental hurdles” he has faced while trying to perform at an elite level.
“It’s something I’ve dealt with privately for a while now,” Gonzalez told reporters. “The pressure of this job is already immense, but when you’re fighting your own mind at the same time, it’s a whole different ballgame. I wanted to be open about it because there are people out there struggling with the same things, thinking they can’t achieve their dreams. You can.”
The revelation adds a profound layer of depth to Gonzalez’s success this season. OCD, often misunderstood as mere “tidiness,” can involve intrusive thoughts and repetitive compulsions that are particularly grueling for athletes in high-precision roles like kicking. Gonzalez noted that the routine-heavy nature of his position both helped and hindered his management of the disorder.
Falcons head coach Raheem Morris praised his kicker’s bravery, noting that the team has been working closely with Gonzalez to provide the necessary support. “We’ve known what Zane has been navigating, and the way he’s handled it is nothing short of heroic,” Morris said. “To see him go out there and nail that kick under that kind of pressure—it shows the strength of his character.”
The win moved the Falcons to 9-7, keeping their playoff hopes alive in a crowded NFC race. While the victory was critical for the team’s postseason aspirations, the night will likely be remembered as the moment Gonzalez stepped out from the “shadows of a silent struggle.”
Social media was quickly flooded with support from fans and fellow athletes, many of whom lauded Gonzalez for breaking the stigma surrounding mental health in professional sports. For a franchise that famously supported Calvin Ridley during his own mental health journey, Gonzalez’s openness reinforces a culture of transparency in the Atlanta locker room.
As the Falcons head into a must-win Week 18, they do so with a kicker who has proven he can conquer the most daunting uprights of all—the ones inside his own head.
