Grant Walther, the Texas football fan who went viral during the Longhorns’ loss to Georgia, wants to raise money for cancer research by making Matthew McConaughey shave the hair that made him a meme.
The 20-year-old, who is studying government in Austin, spoke about his remarkable rise to internet fame, which has seen him compared to the ‘Hawk Tuah’ girl and to Butthead and country legend Conway Twitty.
Television cameras caught Walther’s scowl (and his now-iconic haircut) at the end of Texas’ 30-15 loss to the Bulldogs on Saturday.
Since then, teachers, nurses and fellow students have stopped him. He has been offered sunflower seeds and is enjoying being the center of attention. He would love to host a podcast and also appear on the Talk Tuah show. “It’s surreal,” he told DailyMail.com. But Walther also hopes to cash in on his fame by raising money for good causes.
“I love the idea of turning this into kind of a charitable opportunity… giving has always been an essential part of who I am,” said the student, whose father builds affordable housing. “When you’re given an opportunity like this, the best thing you can do is pass it on to others.”
Texas fan Grant Walther went viral for his appearance during the team’s loss to Georgia.
The 20-year-old, who is studying government, spoke about his remarkable rise to fame.
Then Walther, wearing his Texas polo, revealed that he would welcome the opportunity to work with the Longhorns and their most famous fan.
‘I know Matthew McConaughey was cutting players’ hair. Maybe I can cut mine in the field and raise some money for cancer awareness. “My grandmother was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and then she beat it,” he said. His great-grandfather also has bladder cancer. “This is the perfect platform to stand up for the things that matter most to me.”
And he added: “I want to be a lawyer, that is my goal.” I never had the “internet meme” as something I wanted to achieve. But I guess it’s here… it’s been the most out of this world experience.’
Walther knew life had changed when his image came up in a conversation between high school Spanish classmates. “I hadn’t been active in that group chat since freshman year,” he said.
Immediately after the game in Austin, he turned around and saw his friends looking at their phone in shock. ‘You’re a meme, Walter,’ they told him.
‘I know Matthew McConaughey was cutting players’ hair. Maybe he can cut mine,” Walther said.
‘It started with just a few posts on Twitter (and) everyone was telling me: “He’ll probably be dead in a day. I wouldn’t worry about that…” and then I see it being posted over and over again.’
Ironically, Walther doesn’t use social media much. But his friends say he sees all the memes and all the comparisons. “Conway Twitty, Incredibles Syndrome, Butthead… it’s hilarious,” he said.
‘There was a comment on Twitter that said: This looks like a businessman, circa 1983, walking off the racquetball court at the local Y(MCA). It’s such an oddly specific insult that you have to appreciate it.
There are some memes that have especially amused the Texas fan. ‘I have to be honest. Everyone who’s guessing I’m a southern Texan with an evangelical dad, or something like that. Those are the ones that get me the most, because I’m actually from Los Angeles.’
Walther only became a Texas fan his freshman year. Now it’s “an obsession.” He has only missed one home game. He and his friends waited for hours to get good seats for the game against Georgia.
Walther would love to appear on ‘Talk Tuah’, the show hosted by ‘Hawk Tuah girl’ Haliey Welch.
“What I appreciate most about Texas football is the community and how welcoming they are,” he said. ‘When 95 percent of the comments just tear me apart, there’s still that 5 percent of people who say, “Don’t worry, man.” “I was there with you, or we’ll catch them next time.” And I really appreciate them.’
There have been hate messages but he doesn’t let them affect him ‘at all’. Instead, your inbox is full of support and your days are filled with the same questions.
“I was walking around campus on Monday and I was stopped in my tracks by these people who were taking graduation pictures,” Walther explained. “They’re like, ‘Wait, you’re a Texas fan… can we take a picture?'”
He’s happy to oblige and flash that iconic scowl. “I went to the doctor today and some nurses came up to me and asked, ‘Were you at the Texas football game by any chance?’
His teachers have called him out in class and new fans have offered him strange gifts.
“A guy reached out to me on Instagram and just said, ‘Hey, I’m really, really excited for you.’ I’m working on a video for you. I’ll send you four boxes of sunflower seeds; just post them to your story when you get them.” “And I said, ‘Okay, sure, man, I love sunflower seeds.’
He continued: ‘There’s a screenshot of (comedian) Shane Gillis (sending) a text saying: “Who is this man? Bring it to me… Shane, if you’re watching, I’d love to meet you.”
When he’s not studying, Walther does a lot of volunteer work: As part of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity, he raises funds through food and clothing drives. Participate in mock trials and model United Nations. Pursue his love of philosophy with the Jefferson Scholars.
“My goal has always been law school,” he said. “Maybe this can help me achieve that, and if it’s possible, I’m more than happy to use it to achieve that… this is a great opportunity for me.”
Walther would love to appear on ‘Talk Tuah’, the show hosted by Haliey Welch, who recently went viral for her graphic depiction of sexual acts.
“That would be a life goal that, frankly, I could cross off my bucket list,” he joked. “I’m more than happy to accept it as long as people want to hear from me.”
The 20-year-old is single and is “waiting” for offers to come his way. But Walther is also willing to ditch the look that made him a meme.
‘I have naturally thick hair, I use a 2-in-1 hair wash and do absolutely nothing to it. I get up every morning, take a shower, wash my hair and at noon, when it dries, it takes on a life of its own and decides to look like this. There is absolutely nothing you can do about it.
I used to comb it into a side part. ‘Honestly, it’s gotten too long, I need a haircut. But… I don’t think I can cut it now, much to my father’s chagrin. He likes to call it a “rat’s nest.”
Walther goes to the living room with a simple request: ‘”Let me part my hair when I need to go out, and when I wake up don’t let me look like that.” But then I get lazy. I haven’t been to the hairdresser for 3 or 4 months. And you reap what you sow.’
However, your next haircut could raise money for a great cause. Walther regularly sees his grandmother and great-grandfather as they battle health issues.
‘They’re fighting hard… but you see someone go through something so terrible and you realize how strong of a person they are. And it puts life into perspective, right? said.
‘Because people might be criticizing me on the Internet. But that is by no means the worst thing that can happen to you in the world. There is always someone else going through something worse.