Matthew McConaughey delivers motivational message to Texas ahead of Ohio State showdown

No. 1 Texas‘ season-opening showdown against No. 3 Ohio State is less than 24 hours away, and Longhorns fans are buzzing with excitement. On Friday, Texas super fan Matthew McConaughey posted a video online, hyping up his Longhorns.

“I’m really excited about the entire season, but specifically about this University of Texas Longhorn football team, 2025,” McConaughey said. “This team has real confident and quiet belief in themselves. I believe they’re on a mission. Regardless of a No. 1 ranking, regardless of all the hype. All the hype in the No. 1 ranking is neither validation nor a curse to this team. They’re above and beyond that before any of us even said they were No. 1 preseason ranked or got all the hype around.

“That’s what any great championship team’s gotta have. They gotta have their own reason and mission that they’re on, regardless of what anyone else thinks. Whether they’re someone jumping on the bandwagon, or whether they’re over here cat calling from the stands, being a naysayer — this team doesn’t give a damn about all that bullshit. They got a mission they’re on, they believe it, they’re ready to earn it.”

McConaughey’s love for Texas has been no secret over the years. The Academy Award winner constantly strolls the sidelines at Longhorns games, giving any player with their head down a word of encouragement.

With the title of Texas’ “minister of culture,” McConaughey is a familiar face at Darrell K Royal Texas Memorial Stadium. He often runs onto the field with the team, leads fans in cheers over the PA system and even provides the team with pre-game pep talks.

In fact, Matthew McConaughey was so involved with Texas’ team at one point, Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian reportedly had to ask the Interstellar star to take a step back. McConaughey revealed further details on the situation during an appearance on The Eli Manning Show.

“I do not talk to the team as much anymore,” McConaughey said. “Sark, he wants to be the singular voice for that team. And that’s exactly what he’s done. He wants to be the singular voice. It’s nothing against me saying anything to the team.

“But I like that — that he’s not looking for another outside voice. He’s the head microphone, it’s coming from his mouth. And right now, he’s got them listening as you can see.” 

Texas will certainly need to have a united vision to win on Saturday afternoon. The Longhorns and Buckeyes will square off at noon ET. The game will air live on FOX.