Wikipedia

Zane Gonzalez

Holden Fortunato "Zane" Gonzalez (born May 7, 1995) is an American professional football kicker for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Arizona State University and was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the seventh round of the 2017 NFL draft. Gonzalez ended his college career with the NCAA Division I career record for field goals made.[1][2] While the career record is now held by Christopher Dunn of NC State, Dunn had the benefit of a fifth college season due to COVID-19 disruptions. He was a unanimous All-American in 2016.[3] He was awarded the Lou Groza Award in 2016.[4]

Zane Gonzalez
refer to caption
Gonzalez with the Carolina Panthers in 2021
No. 47 – Washington Commanders
Position:Placekicker
Personal information
Born: (1995-05-07) May 7, 1995 (age 29)
Deer Park, Texas, U.S.
Height:6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:202 lb (92 kg)
Career information
High school:Deer Park
College:Arizona State (2013–2016)
NFL draft:2017 / round: 7 / pick: 224
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Roster status:Practice squad
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of Week 11, 2024
Field goals made:94
Field goal attempts:116
Field goal percentage:81.0
Longest field goal:57
Touchbacks:168
Stats at Pro Football Reference

College career

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Arizona State University (ASU) signed Gonzalez on March 28, 2013.[5] He played college football for the Sun Devils from 2013 to 2016.

During his freshman year in 2013, Gonzalez played every game, connecting on 25 of 30 (83.3%) field goals and converting all 63 extra point attempts.[6] Gonzalez had a streak of 18 field goals converted, an ASU freshman record.[7] He was awarded with a First Team All-Pac-12 Conference selection.[8] Gonzalez broke the ASU record for points by a kicker with 138 on the season and tying the NCAA record for field goals made by a freshman.[9]

During his sophomore year in 2014, Gonzalez connected on 22 of 27 (81.5%) field goals and was 50–52 on extra points.[10] Gonzalez was awarded with a Second-Team All-Pac-12 selection.[11] On October 18, he matched a then-career-high with four field goals against Stanford.[12] On November 11, Gonzalez kicked four field goals including a game-winning field goal in overtime against Utah.[13] He was named the Pac-12 Special Teams Player of the Week.[14] On December 27, Gonzalez kicked three field goals in the 2014 Sun Bowl.[15]

During his junior season in 2015, Gonzalez scored on 26 of 34 (76.5) field goals and converted all 52 extra point attempts. On November 28, Gonzalez matched the Pac-12 record with an ASU school-record six field goals against California. On January 2, 2016, he kicked four field goals against West Virginia in the 2016 Cactus Bowl.[16] He became the school's all-time scoring leader in the third quarter, surpassing Luis Zendejas (380).[17]

During his senior year in 2016, Gonzalez recorded 23-of-25 (92.0%) field goals and only missed one of 40 extra-point attempts. On September 16, Gonzalez kicked four field goals against UTSA.[18] He is the first Sun Devil in history to kick more than one 50-yarder in a game.[19] With his second field goal of the night early in the second quarter, Zane Gonzalez broke the Pac-12 record for points scored in a career with his 416th.[19] He was named the Pac-12 Special Teams Player of the Week.[18] On September 24, Gonzalez kicked three field goals and six extra points against California.[20] With his three field goals, Gonzalez moved into 4th in NCAA history for career field goals at 84.[21] Gonzalez's first field goal of the night broke the school record for career-made field goals.[22] He was named the Pac-12 Special Teams Player of the Week.[21] On October 8, he kicked three field goals against UCLA.[23] Gonzalez broke the NCAA career field goals made record with his 89th career field goal in the fourth quarter.[24] He was named the Pac-12 Special Teams Player of the Week for the third time.[24] On October 15, he kicked three field goals against Colorado.[25] He holds the record for career points by a kicker with 468, passing FSU’s Dustin Hopkins (466).[24] He also tied the NCAA record for most 50+ yard field goals in a game with three.[24] He was named to his fourth Pac-12 Special Teams Player of the Week, becoming the second player ever to do this, joining California kicker Doug Brien.[24] On December 8, he was awarded the Lou Groza Award, becoming the second player in ASU history, joining Thomas Weber (2007).[4] On December 12, he was named a unanimous All-American, becoming the third in school history and the first since Terrell Suggs earned the honor in 2002.[3]

In the 2017 Senior Bowl, Gonzalez kicked three field goals, tying a record held since 1985.[26]

Professional career

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Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span
6 ft 0+1⁄2 in
(1.84 m) 		202 lb
(92 kg) 		29+1⁄2 in
(0.75 m) 		9 in
(0.23 m)
All values from NFL Combine[27]

Cleveland Browns

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2017 season

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The Cleveland Browns selected Gonzalez in the seventh round (224th overall) of the 2017 NFL draft.[28] On May 16, 2017, the Browns signed him to a four-year, $2.48 million contract with a signing bonus of $89,156.[29][30][31] Gonzalez competed with incumbent kicker Cody Parkey for the starting job during Cleveland's 2017 training camp. The Browns decided on Gonzalez as their kicker for the season on September 1, 2017.[32]

On September 10, 2017, in the season-opening 21–18 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, Gonzalez recorded his first career extra point and field goal, a 24-yard attempt.[33] On October 22, 2017, in a Week 7 12–9 loss to the Tennessee Titans, he scored all nine points on three field goals, including a career-long of 54 yards.[34] Overall, in the 2017 season, he converted 25 of 26 extra point attempts and 15 of 20 field goal attempts.[35]

2018 season

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In Week 1, in the 21–21 tie against the Steelers, Gonzalez had a game-winning 43-yard attempt blocked in overtime that would have given the Browns the win.[36] On September 16, in a Week 2 21–18 loss to the New Orleans Saints, Gonzalez missed two field goals and two extra points, including a PAT that would have given the Browns a 19–18 lead. He concluded the game by missing a 52-yard field goal with 3 seconds left, sealing the loss.[37] He was waived by the Browns the following day, September 17.[38]

Arizona Cardinals

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On November 20, 2018, Gonzalez was signed to the practice squad of the Arizona Cardinals.[39] He was promoted to the active roster on November 26, 2018, following an injury to Phil Dawson.[40]

On December 2, 2018, in a Week 13 20–17 win against the Green Bay Packers, Gonzalez recorded two field goals and extra points which included the 44-yard go-ahead field goal that eventually gave the Cardinals the win.[41]

Gonzalez re-signed with the Cardinals on April 23, 2020.[42] He was placed on injured reserve on December 19, 2020.[43] Gonzalez was released on March 5, 2021.[44]

Detroit Lions

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Gonzalez signed with the Detroit Lions on August 10, 2021.[45] He was waived on August 31, 2021, and re-signed to the practice squad the next day.[46][47]

Carolina Panthers

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On September 14, 2021, Gonzalez was signed by the Carolina Panthers off the Lions practice squad.[48] In Week 8, Gonzalez converted all four of his field goal attempts and accounted for 13 points in the Panthers 19–13 win over the Atlanta Falcons, earning National Football Conference (NFC) Special Teams Player of the Week.[49] In Week 10, Gonzalez had another perfect game, converting all four field goals in a 34–10 win over the Cardinals, earning another NFC Special Teams Player of the Week honor.[50] In Week 15's matchup against the Buffalo Bills, Gonzalez suffered a quad injury in warm-ups, and had to be placed on injured reserve after the game, ending his season.[51]

On March 9, 2022, Gonzalez signed a one-year contract extension with the Panthers.[52] On August 30, 2022, Gonzalez was placed on injured reserve after injuring his quad during the last preseason game while warming up and missed the entire season.[53]

San Francisco 49ers

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On March 24, 2023, the Panthers traded Gonzalez to the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for a conditional swap of late-round picks in the 2025 NFL Draft.[54][55] He was placed on injured reserve on August 29. He was released from injured reserve with an injury settlement on September 5.[56]

Washington Commanders

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Gonzalez signed with the Washington Commanders' practice squad on November 8, 2024, and was elevated to the active roster for the Week 10 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.[57]

Personal life

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Gonzalez goes by the name Zane as a result of his father, Joseph, discovering the name in the movie Maverick, where James Garner's character was named Zane.[58]

References

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  1. ^ Bonagura, Kyle (October 6, 2016). "Zane Gonzalez breaks NCAA career record with 89th made field goal". ESPN. Retrieved February 21, 2017.
  2. ^ Morgan, Craig (October 8, 2016). "ASU kicker Zane Gonzalez breaks NCAA field goal record – Arizona Sports". Arizona Sports. Retrieved February 21, 2017.
  3. ^ a b Haller, Doug (December 14, 2016). "ASU kicker Zane Gonzalez a unanimous All-American". AZCentral. Retrieved February 21, 2017.
  4. ^ a b Haller, Doug (December 8, 2016). "ASU's Zane Gonzalez wins the Groza Award". azcentral. Retrieved February 21, 2017.
  5. ^ "Zane Gonzalez – 2012 Football Roster – TheSunDevils.com – Arizona State University Athletics". www.thesundevils.com.
  6. ^ Haller, Doug (August 3, 2014). "ASU kicker Zane Gonzalez looks to regain his form". azcentral. Retrieved February 21, 2017.
  7. ^ Haller, Doug (December 7, 2013). "Stanford puts an end to ASU football's Rose Bowl chase". azcentral.com. Retrieved February 21, 2017.
  8. ^ White, Stu (December 2, 2013). "Ka'Deem Carey leads Pac-12 all-conference selections". FanSided. Retrieved February 21, 2017.
  9. ^ Hummer, Chris (October 14, 2016). "NFL.com 'game-changers' in the 2017 Draft". 247Sports. Retrieved February 21, 2017.
  10. ^ Connelly, Bill (August 19, 2015). "Arizona State's rebuild is over. Look out!". SBNation.com. Retrieved February 21, 2017.
  11. ^ Garcia, Jacob (October 2, 2014). "ASU Football: Sun Devils notch six all-conference selections". www.cronkitesports.com. Retrieved February 21, 2017.
  12. ^ Buchanan, Zach (October 18, 2014). "Rewind: ASU comes up big vs. Stanford". azcentral. Retrieved February 22, 2017.
  13. ^ Buchanan, Zach (November 2, 2014). "Mr. Dependable: Zane Gonzalez kicks ASU to victory". azcentral. Retrieved February 22, 2017.
  14. ^ "ASU kicker Zane Gonzalez named Pac-12 Special Teams Player of Week". Arizona Sports. November 3, 2014. Retrieved February 22, 2017.
  15. ^ "Arizona State Edges Duke, 36–31, at the 81st Hyundai Sun Bow". www.sunbowl.org. Retrieved February 22, 2017.
  16. ^ Shelton, Zach (January 3, 2016). "Cactus Bowl 2016: Game Grades, Analysis for West Virginia vs. Arizona State". Bleacher Report. Retrieved February 22, 2017.
  17. ^ Grialou, Craig (January 3, 2016). "Mountaineers out lasts Sun Devils". Arizona Sports. Retrieved February 22, 2017.
  18. ^ a b Pelton, Connor (September 19, 2016). "ASU Football: Gonzalez named a Lou Groza 'Star of the Week'". House of Sparky. Retrieved February 22, 2017.
  19. ^ a b "Hansen, Decoud, Gonzalez earn weekly Conference honors". Pac-12. Retrieved February 22, 2017.
  20. ^ Denny, Brad (September 25, 2016). "ASU rallies to top Cal 51–41, stays undefeated". Retrieved February 22, 2017.
  21. ^ a b "Montez, Thomas, Gonzalez earn weekly Conference honors". Pac-12. Archived from the original on October 2, 2016. Retrieved February 22, 2017.
  22. ^ Pelton, Connor. "ASU Football: Zane Gonzalez breaks school record for made field goals". House of Sparky. Retrieved February 22, 2017.
  23. ^ Salgado, Gabe (October 14, 2016). "ASU kicker Zane Gonzalez enjoying best season in a record-breaking NCAA career". Fox News. Retrieved February 22, 2017.
  24. ^ a b c d e "Lindsay, Thomas, Gonzalez earn weekly Conference honors". Pac-12. Archived from the original on October 19, 2016. Retrieved February 22, 2017.
  25. ^ Haller, Doug (October 15, 2016). "No. 24 ASU bullied in blowout loss at Colorado". azcentral. Retrieved February 22, 2017.
  26. ^ Cole, Chris (January 28, 2017). "Zane Gonzalez ties Senior Bowl record with 3 field goals". azcentral. Retrieved February 22, 2017.
  27. ^ "NFL Draft Profile: Zane Gonzalez". nfl.com. Retrieved January 14, 2018.
  28. ^ Gribble, Andrew (April 29, 2017). "Browns select Arizona State K Zane Gonzalez with No. 224 pick in 2017 NFL Draft". ClevelandBrowns.com. Retrieved May 14, 2017.
  29. ^ "Spotrac.com: Zane Gonzalez contract". spotrac.com. Retrieved January 14, 2018.
  30. ^ "Zane Gonzalez". OvertheCap.com. 2017. Retrieved July 29, 2017.
  31. ^ Labbe, Dan (May 17, 2017). "Browns sign kicker Zane Gonzalez to rookie contract". The Plain Dealer. Retrieved July 29, 2017.
  32. ^ Cabot, Mary Kay (September 2, 2017). "Zane Gonzalez has won the Cleveland Browns kicking job over Cody Parkey". Cleveland.com. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
  33. ^ "Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns – September 10th, 2017". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 14, 2017.
  34. ^ "Tennessee Titans at Cleveland Browns - October 22nd, 2017". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
  35. ^ "Zane Gonzalez 2017 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
  36. ^ "Browns' Zane Gonzalez: Misses crucial field goal". CBSSports.com. Retrieved October 5, 2018.
  37. ^ "Saints avoid disaster with first victory, keep Browns waiting". ESPN.com. Retrieved September 17, 2018.
  38. ^ Labbe, Dan (September 17, 2018). "Browns sign kicker Greg Joseph". cleveland.com. The Plain Dealer. Retrieved September 17, 2018.
  39. ^ Urban, Darren (November 20, 2018). "Cardinals Cut Jamar Taylor, Add Zane Gonzalez To Practice Squad". AZCardinals.com. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
  40. ^ Urban, Darren (November 26, 2018). "Cardinals Cut Andre Smith, Bené Benwikere; Put Phil Dawson, Josh Bynes on IR". AZCardinals.com. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
  41. ^ "Arizona Cardinals at Green Bay Packers - December 2nd, 2018". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
  42. ^ Urban, Darren (April 23, 2020). "Zane Gonzalez Signs Restricted Free Agent Tender Offer". AZCardinals.com. Retrieved April 23, 2020.
  43. ^ Urban, Darren (December 19, 2020). "Cardinals Place Zane Gonzalez, Jordan Phillips On IR; Sign D.J. Foster". AZCardinals.com.
  44. ^ Urban, Darren (March 5, 2021). "Zane Gonzalez Released Ahead Of Free Agency". AZCardinals.com. Retrieved March 6, 2021.
  45. ^ Schlitt, Erik (August 10, 2021). "Lions sign kicker Zane Gonzalez, waive Matthew Wright". Pride of Detroit. SB Nation. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  46. ^ "Lions announce roster moves". DetroitLions.com. August 31, 2021.
  47. ^ "Lions announce roster moves". DetroitLions.com. September 1, 2021.
  48. ^ "Panthers make a change at kicker". Panthers.com. Retrieved September 14, 2021.
  49. ^ Gordon, Grant (November 3, 2021). "Jets QB Mike White, 49ers WR Deebo Samuel among NFL Players of the Week". NFL.com.
  50. ^ Gordon, Grant (November 17, 2021). "Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes, 49ers WR Deebo Samuel highlight Players of the Week". NFL.com.
  51. ^ "Panthers place Zane Gonzalez on injured reserve". Panthers.com. December 22, 2021.
  52. ^ Gantt, Darin (March 9, 2022). "Panthers extend kicker Zane Gonzalez". Panthers.com.
  53. ^ Alper, Josh (August 30, 2022). "Zane Gonzalez goes on IR, Panthers announce final cuts". nbcsports.com.
  54. ^ "49ers Announce Trade for Kicker Zane Gonzalez". 49ers.com. March 24, 2023. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
  55. ^ Gantt, Darin (March 24, 2023). "Panthers trade kicker Zane Gonzalez to San Francisco". Panthers.com. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
  56. ^ "49ers Announce Moves for Initial 53-Man Roster". 49ers.com. August 29, 2023.
  57. ^ Jhabvala, Nicki (November 9, 2024). "Commanders rule out Austin Seibert vs. Steelers, sign Zane Gonzalez". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 9, 2024.
  58. ^ McDonald, Briana (April 12, 2023). "5 Things to Know: Kicker Zane Gonzalez". 49ers.com. Retrieved October 26, 2024.
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