Steve Sarkisian stresses the impact of Matthew McConaughey on Texas Football

While “Texas Minister of Culture” is ultimately an unofficial title, it’s a job Hollywood star Matthew McConaughey takes seriously. And as far as Texas football head coach Steve Sarkisian is concerned, the actor is authentically a Longhorns diehard.

McConaughey, a Texas native and UT alum, is a frequent visitor at Texas games and events and will be on hand on Saturday when Texas hosts Georgia. But Sarkisian, speaking on “The Pat McAfee Show” on Friday, shared how the actor’s fandom didn’t ebb with the success of the team.

“Games like this, they all come out,” Sarkisian said. “But I will say this about Matthew McConaughey: It doesn’t matter. It’s week in and week out, that guy supports us.”

The head coach explained more about the passion McConaughey has, and his appreciation for it.

“I think it’s great,” Sarkisian said. “And you know, Matthew’s been an amazing support of Texas football for a long, long time. And so through the good times, through some of the tough times, that guy’s been there and supporting this thing.”

To reinforce Sarkisian’s point, McAfee recalled a relatively recent interaction with McConaughey that showed his dedication to being on hand to root for Texas.

It was early in Texas’ dominating win against Michigan in Week 2 and McAfee noticed McConaughey on the sidelines in the Big House.

“I saw him at Michigan on the sideline and I had not known because I didn’t have service because there are so many humans and phones — need to figure it out. So I couldn’t get any text messages or any update. I guess he was like really close to missing kickoff and I guess it was because he was very sick. … He gets there and I go, ‘God, you look so good.’ And he goes, ‘I’ve lost like 10 pounds in the last 24 hours brother,'” McAfee said.

And that brought Sarkisian to a different McAfee-McConaughey moment, when the duo were on the ESPN cameras when Texas hit a long touchdown pass against Alabama in Tuscaloosa last season.

“How about last year during the ‘Bama game, you guys are standing right there and the touchdown to [Xavier] Worthy right in front of you guys. That’s a great shot, man,” Sarkisian said.

“And it’s genuine happiness. Pure joy,” McAfee said.