Bijan Robinson Reveals Matthew McConaughey Texted Him Right After New Falcons Deal

Texas fan and Hollywood actor Matthew McConaughey texted RB Bijan Robinson after he signed a contract extension with the Falcons.

Bijan Robinson Reveals Matthew McConaughey Texted Him Right After New Falcons Deal

Bijan Robinson and Matthew McConaughey (Inset) (Via Imago and GQ)

It wasn’t only the Atlanta Falcons fans who celebrated after Bijan Robinson signed a contract extension with the club. One of Robinson’s celebrity admirers joined in on congratulating the young speedster.

Despite receiving offers from every major college program, Robinson attended the University of Texas and played three years as the Longhorns’ lead back. And when anyone mentions the Longhorns, one name usually pops up time and again—Matthew McConaughey.

McConaughey, actor and Texas native, grew up a Longhorns and a Washington Commanders fan. But he’s also a massive admirer of Bijan Robinson. After the Falcons announced that they had agreed to an extension with Robinson, the All-Pro rusher received a congratulatory text message from Matthew McConaughey. Robinson told the reporters:

As soon as the news hit, Matthew McConaughey hit me. As soon as it hit. I think it hit at like 7:56 [a.m. ET]. Like 7:58 [a.m.], he texted me.

Robinson also received messages from other famous people, but McConaughey’s gesture made him smile.

On Tuesday, the Falcons rewarded Robinson with a three-year contract extension worth up to $75 million—$51 million of which is guaranteed. Robinson is now the highest-paid running back in history, surpassing Cardinals’ rookie Jeremiyah Love.

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Why did Bijan Robinson choose to play for Texas over Ohio State?

After graduating from Salpointe Catholic High School in Tucson, Arizona, Robinson was on the radar of every major NCAA Division I school. His first choice was to play for the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Bijan Robinson Reveals Matthew McConaughey Texted Him Right After New Falcons Deal
Bijan Robinson (Image via IMAGO)

Speaking on the Bleacher Report podcast hosted by Micah Parsons, Robinson revealed that he called the coaches at Ohio State and told them he was ready to play for their team. As a 2020 recruit, Robinson could have lined up next to the Houston Texans QB CJ Stroud and Super Bowl-winning WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba. However, Robinson changed his mind at the last moment.

Hesitation crept in for Bijan after he visited the Texas facility. He was no longer certain that he would play for the Buckeyes. Robinson told Parsons:

I was like, ‘It just doesn’t feel right. I started praying and I just know God was telling me, ‘That’s not the place for you. Ohio State’s not it.’ I knew Texas was the place I was supposed to be at, but I was really just going to Ohio State because, like, it looked the best.

The 24-year-old flipped his commitment from the Buckeyes to the Longhorns. In three years, Bijan racked up 539 rushes for 3410 yards and 33 touchdowns. In his final season, he had 258 carries for 1580 yards, 18 touchdowns, in addition to 19 receptions for 314 yards and a couple of receiving TDs.

Bijan Robinson’s contract extension has opened the door for Jahmyr Gibbs

The Falcons drafted Robinson eighth overall in 2023. Just four picks later, the Detroit Lions selected former Alabama rusher Jahmyr Gibbs. With Robinson resetting the running back market, all eyes are on the Lions to do the same with Gibbs.

Robinson backed Gibbs to earn a big payday like him. He said about Gibbs:

We just told each other, ‘Just hang in there, everything’s going to get done, everything’s going to be all right.’ And it’s cool to see [Gibbs] go through it, too. And I hope he gets the most out of what he deserves because he deserves it… Deserves it all.

After leading the league with 16 rushing touchdowns in 2024, the Lions made Gibbs their lead back ahead of David Montgomery. In 2025, Gibbs rushed for 1223 yards and scored 13 touchdowns. The Falcons host the Lions in December at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

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