It is not often someone at Redskins practice can outshine star quarterback Robert Griffin III and a host of popular NFL players.
But Oscar-winning actor Matthew McConaughey made an appearance at Redskins Park on Wednesday as players continued organized team activities. McConaughey, a longtime Redskins fan, watched the entire 90-minute practice while wearing sunglasses and a yellow T-shirt with the old circle “R” logo.
McConaughey was expected to attend Wednesday night’s charity movie event hosted by Washington running back Alfred Morris.
That sold-out event is being held at the Alamo Draft House in Ashburn. Several Redskins players, including Griffin and linebacker Brian Orakpo, will be in attendance as Morris receives his Redskins’ Walter Payton Man of the Year Award for 2013.
“I mean, I think if I was a woman I would notice it a lot more,” Griffin cracked when asked if he was aware of McConaughey’s presence. “But, yeah, it’s great to have him out here. He’s a big supporter of us as a team. Anytime we can get those guys out here we want to and he’ll be participating in Alfred’s event. Looking forward to get there and get to know him a little bit more. We’re honored to have him here.”
Orakpo, as a University of Texas product, has a previous relationship with McConaughey, who is also a huge supporter of Texas football.
“He’s a Longhorn so he’s always been a big fan of mine, a big fan of UT,” Orakpo said. “And then from UT it’s ironic that I got drafted to his childhood team, which was the Redskins, so we just had that bond from right there.”
Indeed, McConaughey has been seen at Texas football games over the years and been known to attend practices there, too. He is friends with former Texas coach Mack Brown. Three Redskins players — Orakpo, quarterback Colt McCoy and linebacker Keenan Robinson — played for the Longhorns.
Robinson mentioned a few recent McConaughey vehicles he has loved — the Netflix-produced “Mud” and “The Wolf of Wall Street,” which was nominated for Best Picture at this year’s Academy Awards. McConaughey also won Best Actor for his lead role in “Dallas Buyers Club”.
“He’s a great guy, man,” Robinson said. “Him and [Brown] are great buddies out there and, obviously, he comes to a lot of Texas games. I’ve met him a couple times before. It was cool to have him out here.”
• Brian McNally can be reached at bmcnally@washingtontimes.com.
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