'Thirty-one years ago, I was you': Matthew McConaughey returns to his high school and gives rousing commencement speech before being presented with diploma he never picked up in 1988
- In 1988, McConaughey graduated from Longview High School in eastern Texas
- Oscar-winner returned to the school Friday to give commencement address
- After speech, he received his diploma, which he never picked up in 1988
Actor Matthew McConaughey has finally received his high school diploma, more than 30 years after graduating.
McConaughey was given his original diploma Friday night when he returned to his Texas alma mater to address the class of 2019.
A Longview High School spokeswoman told the Longview News-Journal that graduates normally receive diploma holders during commencement ceremonies and that the actual diplomas must be picked up later.
She said McConaughey never got his.
The 49-year-old graduated from Longview in 1988. He responded to receiving his diploma with one word: 'proof.'
Matthew McConaughey returned to Longview High School and gave the commencement addresss on Friday
After his speech, the Oscar-winning actor raised his diploma, which he did not pick up after he graduated in 1988
Longview football players Kamden Perry and Jephaniah Lister presented the actor with an autographed football and his own state championship ring at the school's graduation ceremony
McConaughey lives in Austin. He won an Oscar for his performance in Dallas Buyers Club.
He told the new graduates that he'd succeeded because he followed his heart, and that they should guard and follow theirs.
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'Thirty-one years ago, I was you, a graduating Longview Lobo,' he said.
'The most important reason for my success, and I believe what will be the most important thing for your success, the one thing that we all have that should never be for sale, the thing that we give the most of and should protect with our life, that thing is our heart.'
McConaughey asks the students: 'What’s your 20?'
'What's your 20?' is a police term that has been adopted in slang as a way to ask 'what is your location?'
McConaughey is seen arriving at the school with his children on Friday
'Follow your heart, own your heart, make your heart your 20 at all times,' he said.
'Like the recent tornado that swung through here, it attacked, it broke a few hearts, but you will heal.
'You will rebuild. Why? Because you’ve got your heart. It’s your 20.'
The actor said that he traveled to Longview from his home in Austin through Interstate 20.
'I-20 brings you home,' he said.
'So as you go from here tonight and wherever you go for the rest of your life, wherever you are, I want you to ask yourself this question from now on: "Man, what’s my 20?" and know that it’s your heart.'
After his commencement speech, McConaughey was gifted his original high school diploma.
McConaughey was also honored by the graduating class of the school.
Longview football players Kamden Perry and Jephaniah Lister presented the actor with an autographed football and his own state championship ring at the school's graduation ceremony.
