𝑬𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒏𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒚 𝑬𝒏𝒔𝒉𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒅 𝒊𝒏 𝑩𝒖𝒓𝒏𝒕 𝑶𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆 𝑮𝒍𝒐𝒓𝒚: 𝑻𝒆𝒙𝒂𝒔 𝑳𝒐𝒏𝒈𝒉𝒐𝒓𝒏𝒔 𝑬𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒕 𝑺𝒕𝒂𝒕𝒖𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝑴𝒂𝒕𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒘 𝑴𝒄𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒆𝒚—𝑨.𝒌.𝒂. “𝑴𝒓. 𝑳𝒐𝒏𝒈𝒉𝒐𝒓𝒏𝒔”—𝒊𝒏 𝒂 𝑺𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒇𝒖𝒍 𝑻𝒓𝒊𝒃𝒖𝒕𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝑯𝒊𝒔 𝑼𝒏𝒘𝒂𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑫𝒆𝒅𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏, 𝑷𝒂𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑻𝒆𝒙𝒂𝒔 𝑻𝒓𝒖𝒆 𝑮𝒓𝒊𝒕

𝑬𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒏𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒚 𝑬𝒏𝒔𝒉𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒅 𝒊𝒏 𝑩𝒖𝒓𝒏𝒕 𝑶𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆 𝑮𝒍𝒐𝒓𝒚: 𝑻𝒆𝒙𝒂𝒔 𝑳𝒐𝒏𝒈𝒉𝒐𝒓𝒏𝒔 𝑬𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒕 𝑺𝒕𝒂𝒕𝒖𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝑴𝒂𝒕𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒘 𝑴𝒄𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒆𝒚—𝑨.𝒌.𝒂. “𝑴𝒓. 𝑳𝒐𝒏𝒈𝒉𝒐𝒓𝒏𝒔”—𝒊𝒏 𝒂 𝑺𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒇𝒖𝒍 𝑻𝒓𝒊𝒃𝒖𝒕𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝑯𝒊𝒔 𝑼𝒏𝒘𝒂𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑫𝒆𝒅𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏, 𝑷𝒂𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑻𝒆𝒙𝒂𝒔 𝑻𝒓𝒖𝒆 𝑮𝒓𝒊𝒕

 

Austin, TX – June 14, 2025

 

In a moment as cinematic as it is heartfelt, the University of Texas has officially unveiled a life-size bronze statue of beloved actor, philanthropist, and University of Texas alumnus Matthew McConaughey, affectionately dubbed “Mr. Longhorns”, in recognition of his decades-long contributions to the Longhorns community. The tribute, situated prominently outside Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium, stands not just as a statue but as a living symbol of the enduring bond between Hollywood charisma and homegrown Texas pride.

 

The unveiling ceremony drew thousands of fans, students, alumni, and athletes — all gathered to honor the man whose name has become synonymous with UT spirit. As the black velvet curtain dropped and the bronze figure of McConaughey in his signature burnt orange blazer and wide grin was revealed, chants of “Alright, Alright, Alright” rippled through the crowd.

 

The Statue: More Than Metal, A Monument to Legacy

 

Crafted by renowned sculptor Alejandro Ortega, the statue depicts McConaughey with his arm raised triumphantly, clutching a Longhorns football helmet in one hand and flashing the “Hook ‘em Horns” sign with the other. His stance, frozen in celebratory motion, encapsulates the energy and loyalty he’s shown at games, events, and student rallies over the years.

 

At the base of the statue, an engraved plaque reads:

“An Honor to Reciprocate the Gesture – To Mr. Longhorns: For Passion That Lit A Legacy In Motion.”

 

The tribute comes just weeks after McConaughey’s headline-making donation of five luxury team buses to Texas Athletics, a gift that once again proved his commitment is far more than symbolic. University officials said the decision to honor him with a statue was unanimous.

 

> “Matthew McConaughey is not just a fan — he’s family,” said UT President Jay Hartzell. “He’s a walking embodiment of what it means to bleed burnt orange. This statue is our way of saying, ‘Thank you’ for decades of love, loyalty, and leadership.”

 

 

 

Mr. Longhorns: A Title Earned, Not Given

 

McConaughey’s connection to UT runs deep. After graduating in 1993 with a degree in Radio-Television-Film, he stayed closely tied to the university. He frequently appears at football games, not just on the sidelines but in the locker room, delivering emotional pep talks that have gone viral for their intensity and sincerity.

 

In 2019, he was officially named “Minister of Culture” for UT Athletics, a role in which he helped shape branding campaigns, advised on facilities design, and offered motivational support to student-athletes across all sports. His involvement is consistent, intentional, and personal — showing up even for midweek basketball games and sitting in on film sessions with coaches.

 

> “The guy isn’t just showing up for photo ops,” said Longhorns defensive lineman Tyrese Conley. “He’s in there sweating with us, pushing us, believing in us. That statue is earned.”

 

 

 

A Day of Celebration and Storytelling

 

At the unveiling, McConaughey delivered an impromptu speech — raw, humble, and 100% Texan.

 

> “This ain’t about me,” he said. “It’s about what we believe in. Pride. Respect. Effort. And legacy. It’s about building a culture that says we ride together — as students, as athletes, as Texans.”

 

 

 

He then turned to the crowd and added:

 

> “This statue may have my face on it, but it’s all of ours. Hook ‘em, forever.”

 

 

 

Following the ceremony, a community tailgate celebration ensued, featuring live music, food trucks, and an interactive digital timeline of McConaughey’s contributions to Texas Athletics. Fans lined up for hours to take photos with the statue, many wearing custom shirts bearing the phrase: “All Right, All Bronze, All Longhorns.”

 

Looking Forward with Legacy in Mind

 

The timing of the statue’s unveiling couldn’t be more fitting. As the Longhorns prepare for their historic transition to the SEC, they do so not just with a strong roster and elite coaching but with a reinvigorated sense of identity — one that blends tradition, ambition, and star-studded support.

 

McConaughey’s statue is the first of its kind dedicated to a non-athlete at the stadium — a groundbreaking recognition of cultural impact beyond the field.

 

> “You don’t have to score touchdowns to change the game,” said Athletic Director Chris Del Conte. “Matthew McConaughey changed the game in the way only he could.”

 

 

 

A New Chapter Begins

 

For generations of future Longhorns, the statue will serve as a beacon of pride, a reminder that greatness is not only measured in yards or wins, but in spirit, loyalty, and contribution.

 

As the sun set over the Tower and the statue glowed in the soft Austin light, one thing was certain: Matthew McConaughey’s legacy is no longer just written in hearts — it’s cast in bronze.

 

And for Texas? The ride just keeps getting better.