Matthew McConaughey’s true self — heart and soul — comes out when he is around football. Yes, he is a fan. Specifically, a Texas Longhorns fan, having been born and raised in the Lone Star State. McConaughey is an immersed Longhorns follower, and is known for his sideline conversations with the players. That has changed now, albeit for positive reasons. And he credits one person for it — the brilliant Steve Sarkisian.
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“I don’t talk to the players as much anymore,” said the actor on The Eli Manning Show.
McConaughey, an alumnus of the Texas football program from the early 1990s, is pretty invested while at the stadium. He interacts with fans, talks to the players, and at times, offers them advice.
The change in McConaughey’s sideline presence has got a lot to do with how he respects Sarkisian‘s way of working. The actor doesn’t want to confuse the players with two lines of communication.
Sarkisian, as a “singular voice”, has elevated the program to great heights. McConaughey respects that.
“Sark, he wants to be the singular voice for that team… There’s nothing against me saying anything to the team, but I like that he’s not looking for another outside voice,” McConaughey revealed.
The head coach’s vision is clearly working. Sarkisian has spent the past four years patiently rebuilding the Texas program.
From a 5-7 finish in 2021, the side improved to 8-5 in 2022. Then came the historic 2023 season where they registered a 12-2 record, Big 12 Championship, and finished No. 3 in the final ranking. They also reached the College Football Playoff semifinals. With a 8-1 record so far this year, they seem on course for more.
The distance with the players notwithstanding, McConaughey is still closely connected with the Texas program.
McConaughey has served several roles at University of Texas
In 2019, McConaughey was officially appointed as a professor at the University of Texas, teaching the ‘Script to Screen’ film course, which he helped develop. Prior to that, he served as a visiting faculty since 2015, teaching students radio, TV, and related fields.
His professorship at the university deepened his love and dedication toward the Longhorns.
Outside of college football, McConaughey is a Washington Commanders fan in the big league. His loyalty didn’t begin with Jayden Daniels, though. The actor has been a staunch supporter of the team since he was four, when the Commanders were the Redskin, or ‘Skins’ as he prefers calling them. His love started with Hall of Fame linebacker Chris Hanburger.
McConaughey revealed that he was always left intrigued by how Hanburger would bear-hug his opponents, but wouldn’t hurl himself to the ground. The linebacker simply didn’t wish to fall, even if it meant the opponents gained a few extra yards.
His name, which sounded like ‘hamburger’, was also music to his ears. And, since the ‘hamburger’ days, McConaughey has been an invested Commanders fan.
