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Biography

Introduction

Zane Gonzalez (born May 7, 1995) is an American football placekicker for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Arizona State University. Gonzalez holds the NCAA Division 1 record for field goals made in a career. He was a unanimous All-American in 2016. He was awarded the Lou Groza Award in 2016.

College career

Arizona State University signed Gonzalez on March 28, 2013

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

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

During his junior season, he 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. In the third quarter, he became the school’s all-time scoring leader, surpassing Luis Zendejas (380).

During his final year, he 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. He is the first Sun Devil in history to kick more than one 50-yarder in a game. With his second field goal of the night early in the 2nd quarter, Zane Gonzalez broke the Pac-12 record for points scored in a career with his 416th. He was named the Pac-12 Special Teams Player of the Week. On September 24, Gonzalez kicked three field goals and six extra points against California. With his three field goals, Gonzalez moved into 4th in NCAA history for career field goals made at 84. Gonzalez’s first field goal of the night broke the school record for career made field goals. He was named the Pac-12 Special Teams Player of the Week. On October 8, he kicked three field goals against UCLA. Gonzalez broke the NCAA career field goals made record with his 89th career field goal in the fourth quarter. He was named the Pac-12 Special Teams Player of the Week for the third time. On October 15, he kicked three field goals against Colorado. He holds the record for career points by a kicker with 468, passing FSU’s Dustin Hopkins (466). He also tied the NCAA record for most 50+ yard field goals in a game with three. He was named to his fourth Pac-12 Special Teams Player of the Week, becoming the second player to ever do this, joining California kicker Doug Brien. On December 8, he was awarded the Lou Groza Award, become the second player in ASU history, joining Thomas Weber (2007). On December 12, he was named an All-American, becoming the third in school history, joining Terrell Suggs (2002).

In the 2017 Senior Bowl, Gonzalez kicked three field goals, tying a record that hasn't been reached since 1985.

Professional career

Gonzalez was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the seventh round, 224th overall, in the 2017 NFL Draft. On May 16, 2017, Gonzalez signed a four-year contract with the Browns, a deal reportedly worth $2.49 million.

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.

On September 10, in the season opening 21–18 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, Gonzalez recorded his first career extra point and field goal, which was a 24-yard attempt.

Personal life

Gonzalez has been diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder.