Zane Gonzalez Bio
Zane Holden Fortunato Gonzalez is an American professional football placekicker who currently plays in the National Football League. Born on May 7, 1995, in Deer Park, Texas, he developed into one of college football most decorated kickers at Arizona State University before entering the NFL Draft in 2017. The Cleveland Browns selected him in the seventh round, and throughout his professional career, Gonzalez has demonstrated consistency and clutch performance across multiple franchises. His accomplishments include being named a unanimous All-American and winning the prestigious Lou Groza Award in 2016, recognizing him as the top placekicker in college football.
Early Life and Background
Zane Gonzalez grew up in Deer Park, Texas, where he attended Deer Park High School. His father, Joseph Gonzalez, discovered the name Zane while watching the movie Maverick, where James Garner played a character by that name. From an early age, Gonzalez showed promise as a placekicker, developing the skills that would later carry him to the collegiate level.
During his high school career, Gonzalez established himself as a talented kicker, earning recognition that would eventually lead him to Division I football. His performance caught the attention of several college programs, ultimately leading him to choose Arizona State University to continue his academic and athletic pursuits.
Path to the NFL
Zane Gonzalez signed with Arizona State University on March 28, 2013, beginning his journey as a Sun Devil. From his freshman season, he made an immediate impact, playing every game and connecting on 25 of 30 field goal attempts while converting all 63 extra point attempts. His 18 consecutive field goals made during his freshman year set an Arizona State record and tied the NCAA record for field goals made by a freshman. He earned first-team All-Pac-12 Conference honors and broke the school record for points by a kicker with 138 that season.
During his sophomore year in 2014, Gonzalez continued his strong play, connecting on 22 of 27 field goals and earning second-team All-Pac-12 recognition. His performance against Utah, including a game-winning field goal in overtime, earned him Pac-12 Special Teams Player of the Week honors. He also contributed three field goals in the 2014 Sun Bowl victory.
His junior season in 2015 saw him match the Pac-12 record with six field goals against California and become the school all-time scoring leader, surpassing Luis Zendejas. By his senior year in 2016, Gonzalez reached his full potential, converting 23 of 25 field goals and breaking the NCAA career field goals made record with his 89th career field goal. He finished with 468 career points, passing Florida State Dustin Hopkins for the NCAA record among kickers.
Zane Gonzalez Career
Cleveland Browns (2017–2018)
The Cleveland Browns selected Zane Gonzalez in the seventh round with the 224th overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. He signed a four-year contract worth $2.48 million with a signing bonus of $89,156 on May 16, 2017. Gonzalez competed with incumbent kicker Cody Parkey during training camp and earned the starting job for the 2017 season.
In his NFL debut against the Pittsburgh Steelers on September 10, 2017, he recorded his first career extra point and 24-yard field goal in the 21-18 loss. His standout performance came in Week 7 against the Tennessee Titans, where he scored all nine Browns points on three field goals, including a career-long 54-yarder in the 12-9 loss. Overall, his rookie season saw him convert 25 of 26 extra point attempts and 15 of 20 field goal attempts. He was waived by the Browns in September 2018 following a difficult game against the New Orleans Saints.
Arizona Cardinals (2018–2020)
Zane Gonzalez joined the Arizona Cardinals practice squad on November 20, 2018, and was promoted to the active roster on November 26 following an injury to Phil Dawson. His Cardinals debut featured a 44-yard go-ahead field goal in a Week 13 victory over the Green Bay Packers. In the 2018 season, he converted nine of 14 field goal attempts and eight of 11 extra point attempts.
The 2019 season marked his first full year as the Cardinals primary kicker, with Gonzalez converting 31 of 35 field goal attempts and 34 of 35 extra point attempts. He re-signed with the team in April 2020 but was placed on injured reserve in December, finishing that season with 16 of 22 field goals and 38 of 39 extra points. The Cardinals released him in March 2021.
Carolina Panthers (2021–2022)
Gonzalez signed with the Detroit Lions in August 2021 before joining the Carolina Panthers in September. His 2021 season with Carolina proved exceptional, earning NFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors twice. In Week 8 against the Atlanta Falcons, he converted all four field goal attempts for 13 points in the 19-13 victory. He followed this with another perfect performance in Week 10 against the Arizona Cardinals, converting all four field goals in the 34-10 win. He finished 2021 with 20 of 22 field goal attempts and 22 of 23 extra point attempts before a quad injury ended his season.
He signed a one-year extension in March 2022 but missed the entire season after suffering a quad injury during warm-ups in the final preseason game, landing on injured reserve.
Washington Commanders (2024–2025)
Zane Gonzalez signed with the Washington Commanders practice squad on November 8, 2024, and was elevated to the active roster after Austin Seibert was placed on injured reserve. In six regular season games, he made five of seven field goal attempts and all 19 extra point attempts. His defining career moment came in the playoffs on January 12, 2025, when he kicked a dramatic 37-yard game-winning field goal against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with three seconds remaining, marking Washington first playoff victory since 2005. He converted all three field goals in that game, including a 52-yarder. He signed a one-year extension in March 2025 before being released in April when the team signed Matt Gay.
Atlanta Falcons (2025)
Zane Gonzalez signed with the Atlanta Falcons on November 5, 2025, providing consistency at the placekicker position for the remainder of the season. He earned NFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors twice during the 2025 season. In Week 12, he converted all three field goals and an extra point in a 24-10 win over the New Orleans Saints. He closed the season with another strong performance in Week 18, converting all four field goal attempts in a 19-17 victory over the Saints to earn his second Player of the Week honor. Overall, he finished the 2025 season converting 19 of 22 field goal attempts and 17 of 18 extra point attempts.
Driving Style and Strengths
Zane Gonzalez has built his NFL career on reliability and clutch performance in pressure situations. His collegiate record-setting career field goal total translated to consistent production at the professional level, with an 81.0% career field goal percentage. His leg strength is evident in his 57-yard career long and his ability to convert from distance in crucial moments. Gonzalez has shown the mental toughness to bounce back from difficult games and deliver in playoff scenarios, most notably his dramatic game-winning kick for Washington in the 2025 postseason.
Notable Events and Milestones
Gonzalez career has been defined by several significant milestones. In college, he set the NCAA career field goals record and won the Lou Groza Award in 2016. In the NFL, his playoff heroics with Washington in January 2025 stand as his most memorable professional moment, delivering the franchise first playoff victory in nearly two decades. His multiple NFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors with Carolina and Atlanta demonstrate his sustained excellence across different teams and systems.
Zane Gonzalez Career Statistics
Throughout his NFL career, Zane Gonzalez has accumulated impressive statistics across multiple franchises. His consistency from distance and reliability on extra points have made him a valuable asset for teams seeking dependable kicking performance.
NFL Career Highlights
Gonzalez career statistics as of the 2025 season include 115 field goals made on 142 attempts for an 81.0% conversion rate. His longest career field goal measures 57 yards, demonstrating his range and leg strength. He has recorded 188 career touchbacks, showing his ability to boot kickoffs deep into the end zone. His most productive season came with Arizona in 2019, when he connected on 31 field goals, while his playoff performance against Tampa Bay in January 2025 showcased his ability to deliver in the biggest moments.
College Career Statistics
During his four seasons at Arizona State from 2013 to 2016, Gonzalez set multiple records. His freshman year saw him tie the NCAA record for field goals by a freshman, while his senior season broke the NCAA career field goals record. He finished as the school all-time leading scorer with 468 career points, passing Florida State Dustin Hopkins for the NCAA record at the time. His 23-of-25 field goal percentage in 2016 represented his best single-season accuracy.
| Competition Level | Field Goals Made | Field Goal Attempts | Field Goal Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| NFL Career (as of 2025) | 115 | 142 | 81.0% |
| College Career (ASU) | 93 | 116 | 80.2% |
Zane Gonzalez Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Zane Gonzalez was born to Joseph Gonzalez in Deer Park, Texas. His father discovered the name Zane from the movie Maverick, where James Garner portrayed the character Zane. This unique origin story for his name reflects the Gonzalez family connection to American entertainment and Western heritage.
Personal Life
Zane Gonzalez married Lizzy Mireya Martinez in 2024. The couple welcomed their first child on December 18, 2024. Gonzalez has been open about his struggle with obsessive-compulsive disorder, using his platform to raise awareness about mental health challenges faced by professional athletes. He is of Mexican descent. Beyond football, he maintains an active presence on social media, connecting with fans through his Instagram account.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented a pivotal year in Zane Gonzalez NFL journey. After beginning the year with the Washington Commanders and delivering their first playoff victory since 2005, he signed with the Atlanta Falcons in November. His mid-season addition provided stability to the Falcons special teams unit, and he quickly proved his value by earning NFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors twice during his time with the team.
Gonzalez performance in Weeks 12 and 18 against the New Orleans Saints showcased his consistency and ability to deliver in crucial moments. His perfect 7-for-7 field goal performance across those two games against the same opponent demonstrated his reliability and clutch gene. The Falcons valued his experience and consistency enough to give him a significant role immediately upon joining the roster mid-season.
Looking ahead, Gonzalez enters the next phase of his career as a seasoned veteran with experience across eight NFL franchises. His track record of clutch performances, including playoff heroics and multiple Player of the Week honors, makes him a reliable option for any team seeking experienced kicking talent. His ability to adapt to different systems and deliver consistent results has solidified his reputation as one of the more dependable placekickers in the league.