Matthew McConaughey is a lifelong Washington Redskins fan for two reasons.
"First: 4 years old, watching Westerns, I always rooted for the Indians," he says in GQ's November 2014 issue. "Second, my favorite food was hamburgers. The Redskins had a linebacker named Chris Hanburger."
"When you're 4 years old, that's all it takes," he adds. "I got a Redskins hat in my bag right now."
The debate over whether the team's name and logo are racist and should be changed has been going on for decades. Although team owner Daniel Snyder has vowed that he will never rename the football team, how does McConaughey feel about the controversy? "Man, it's twofold," the Interstellar star explains. "What interests me is how quickly it got pushed into the social consciousness. We were all fine with it since the 1930s, and all of a sudden we go, 'No, gotta change it?' It seems like when the first levee breaks, everybody gets on board. I know a lot of Native Americans don't have a problem with it, but they're not going to say, 'No, we really want the name.' That's not how they're going to use their pulpit. It's like my feeling about gun control: 'I get it. You have the right to have guns. But look, let's forget that right. Let's forget the pleasure you get safely on your range, because it's in the wrong hands in other places.'"
If the name and logo were to go, it wouldn't "hurt" McConaughey. "It's just... I love the emblem. I dig it. It gives me a little fire and some oomph," the Academy Award-winning Dallas Buyers Club actor, 44, says. "But now that it's in the court of public opinion, it's going to change. I wish it wouldn't, but it will."
Here's how the internet reacted to McConaughey's views:
Matthew McConaughey hopes the Redskins doesn't change their name. He feels very strongly about it because he has a new movie coming out.
? Lee Mays (@OriginalLeeMays) October 22, 2014
Matthew Mcconaughey stays looking sunburnt and like he rolled around in some cheetos. He could be the new Redskins mascot. #changethename
? Dani (@xodanix3) October 21, 2014
Thank god Matthew McConaughey finally broke his silence about the Washington Redskins team name controversy so we know what to do about it.
? Luke Pamer (@XPamer) October 23, 2014
There ARE some actors with brains! Redskins should NOT bow to stupid people! http://t.co/hSzC9yxIWS
? Frank Dickinson (@Frank_Dickinson) October 23, 2014
Matthew McConaughey said he doesn't want the Redskins to change their name. I'm not ready to decide until Jake Gyllenhaal weighs in.
? Karson Tager (@karsonwithak) October 23, 2014
this just in: Matthew McConaughey, Actually An Idiot, Not An Act
? bagels bagels bagels (@johnmortara) October 23, 2014
Matthew McConaughey wants the Redskins to keep their name, basically bc he digs the emblem & hamburgers. http://t.co/f4mRt0f4Pq @247Sports
? Emmy Weikert (@EmmyWeikert247) October 21, 2014
I disliked Matthew McConaughey so much already, his "I love the Redskins racist name" just confirms my initial impression of him as an ass.
? Jen (@cannotthinkwhy) October 23, 2014
GUYS MATTHEW MCCONAUGHEY SAID HE DOESNT WANT THE REDSKINS TO CHANGE THEIR NAME HE'S A RACIST DAMN HIM TO HELL #sarcasm
? Barry Pietrantonio (@BarryPie123) October 23, 2014
How do you feel about the team's proposed name and logo change?
Sound off in the comments!