It was no surprise to see Matthew McConaughey perched on the Texas sidelines in a leather jacket and cowboy hat during Friday’s devastating 28-14 Cotton Bowl loss to Ohio State. The Austin resident, program donor and diehard Longhorns fan is a staple at all Texas games, where he’s frequently recorded by ESPN and Fox Sports cameras.
But while McConaughey’s Longhorns were seeing their national title hopes dashed by the Buckeyes, who now advance to face Notre Dame in the national title game, fans seemed to sour on the Hollywood star.
‘We get it,’ one fan wrote. ‘He is a Texas fan. Sheez.’
‘Can someone let him know that he’s not on the team,’ another added.
Others likened McConaughey to Texas’ mascot, Bevo, or the Kansas City Chiefs’ most famous fan.
‘We say way more of Matthew McConaughey than we see Taylor Swift during football broadcasts,’ one fan remarked.
Actor Matthew McConaughey looks on from the sideline during the Goodyear Cotton Bowl
The Austin resident, program donor and diehard Longhorns fan is a staple at all Texas games, where he’s frequently recorded by ESPN and Fox Sports cameras
But not everyone was upset with McConaughey, who felt the need to issue a statement after the loss.
‘Hell of a fight tonight men of @TexasLonghorns football,’ he wrote on X. ‘After the pain subsides be sure and love on each other and yourselves for so much that you did so well so much of this year. It was a season to be proud of. Until forever.’
The responses to the post show the other side of the debate on McConaughey, who has formed a strong bond with the Longhorns faithful over the years.
‘Thanks for being a good dude,’ one Texas fan wrote.
‘Spoken by a true Longhorn fan who understands life, and football,’ another added.
Even the Ohio State marching band couldn’t help but show its appreciation for McConaughey on the sideline before the game.
In a social media clip, McConaughey is seen greeting band members as they walk by in a single-file line.
‘Just read your book’ one band member said, while bumping fists with the Hollywood actor.
‘Thank you, man,’ McConaughey cheerfully responded.
Each band member appeared to get a fist bump from the Lincoln Lawyer star.
McConaughey appeared to be attending the game with his Camila and their children Levi, Vida and Livingston. However, it seemed as though his family took seats in the stands for the game as he continued to pace around the sidelines.
