Former University of Texas and NFL linebacker Emmanuel Acho celebrated his triumphant return to his alma mater to deliver the commencement address for the new grads in Austin, Texas.
Following his Saturday keynote, Acho sat down with Oscar-winning actor Matthew McConaughey to discuss his new book, Illogical: Saying Yes To A Life Without Limits.
After achieving New York Times best-selling author status with his book Uncomfortable Conversations With A Black Man, Acho’s Illological is a “call to push our boundaries and say yes to a life of infinite possibility.”
Lively chat: University of Texas graduate Emmanuel Acho sat down with Matthew McConaughey to talk about his new book – Illogical: Saying Yes To A Life Without Limits
Considered by many to be a gifted public speaker, both on and off screen, McConaughey couldn’t resist showing off his verbal skills while interviewing Acho.
The Dallas Buyers Club star, 52, also showed off his casual-cool fashion sensibility in brown jeans with a charcoal button-down shirt and brown suede shoes.
As an added touch of style, the proud Texas native also donned a multicolored newsboy hat over his dark brown hair.
As a gifted speaker, Acho, 31, also opted for a casual outfit in blue jeans with a colorful sweater and white sneakers.
“Hey, hey, hey”: McConaughey, 52, flashed his trademark smile and public speaking skills during their chat about Acho’s new book and the road to success
His life without limits: Acho, 31, sat down with the Oscar winner after delivering the commencement speech for the University of Texas on Saturday
The premise: Acho’s new book, Illogical, is a “call to break our boundaries and say yes to a life of infinite possibility.”
The Dallas native’s life after college is a key element in breaking down the elements of his third book, Illogical.
The son of Igbo immigrants from Nigeria, Acho graduated from the University of Texas in December 2011, eventually earning a master’s degree in exercise psychology in 2017.
After four years with the Longhorns, the linebacker was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the sixth round of the 2012 NFL Draft.
But after bouncing back and forth between the active roster and the practice teams of the Browns and Philadelphia Eagles, partly due to injuries, his football career was over in November 2015.
His Journey: The Dallas native’s post-college life, which began with a stint in the NFL, is a key element when breaking down the elements of Illogical
Styling: McConaughey was the picture of casual cool in brown denim pants, a charcoal button-down shirt, brown suede shoes and a multicolored newsboy hat
Story: McConaughey, 52, previously chatted with Acho amid the success of his book – Uncomfortable Conversations With A Black Man – which became a New York Times bestseller after its publication in 2020
Acho has since accepted a temporary position as an analyst for the Longhorn Network, which transitioned to a full-time analyst in the fall of 2016.
Within two years, he was promoted to ESPN2’s college football program, and then he joined Fox Sports in 2020 to replace Jason Whitlock as co-host of the studio show Speak For Yourself.
In June 2020, following the killing of George Floyd, Acho began a series of YouTube interviews titled Uncomfortable Conversations With A Black Man to educate and inform about racism, system racism, social injustice, rioting and the hurting Black people are feeling today. ‘
It works: The Dallas Buyers Club star engaged with the audience during the conversation
Last film role: McConaughey’s last role was as Buster Moon in the computer-animated musical comedy film Sing 2 (2021)
Inspired, he wrote the book of the same name, which later became a video series and a New York Times bestseller.
On the road to his success, Acho says, he had to ignore what everyone around him called “logic”: the astronomical odds of not making it and the risks of continuing to dream bigger or different, according to the synopsis for Illogical.
“Whether it’s about creating the next breakthrough startup, fighting for change as an activist, or pursuing a personal passion, Illogical is the book of choice for any reader who is ready to make change happen,” the synopsis continues.
McConaughey and Acho previously sat down for a chat about race, white privilege and what McConaughey can do better as a white man, amid the success of Uncomfortable Conversations With A Black Man, which Acho said he wrote “for white people, for their sake.” raise level”. Understanding that can ultimately lead to change.’
Making a difference: Acho had the honor of delivering the 2022 class commencement speech at the University of Texas, his alma mater
Spreading the news: all new graduates received copies of Illogical
Humbled: The Dallas native called his inaugural address ‘the greatest honor of my life’