If you are a fan of the National Football League (NFL), you might have heard of Sam Acho and Emmanuel Acho, two former players who have made their mark in the sport. But are they related? And if so, how? In this article, we will explore the truth about the NFL brothers and their family background, career achievements, and current endeavors.
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The Acho Family: From Nigeria to America
Sam and Emmanuel Acho are brothers who were born in Dallas, Texas, to Nigerian immigrants. Their parents, Dr. Sonny and Christie Acho, are from Isuikwuato, Nigeria, and belong to the Igbo ethnic group.The Achos are a devout Christian family who have been involved in African missionary work since the children were young. Their parents are on the board of directors of the Living Hope Christian Ministries and its Operation Hope, which provides medical services in Nigeria. Sonny Acho has also served as pastor to the Living Hope Bible Fellowship Church and as a mental health professional in North Dallas.
The Acho brothers have three siblings: two older sisters named Chichi and Stephanie, and a younger brother named Caleb. All of them attended the St. Mark’s School of Texas in Dallas, where they excelled academically and athletically. Sam and Emmanuel both played football, basketball, and track and field at St. Mark’s, and both chose to attend the University of Texas for college.
Sam Acho: The Older Brother
Samuel Onyedikachi Acho was born on September 6, 1988. He is four years older than Emmanuel. He played defensive end in college and was voted team MVP in his senior year. He also won several awards related to leadership and scholarship, such as the William V. Campbell Trophy and the Wuerffel Trophy.
Sam was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the fourth round of the 2011 NFL Draft. He played for the Cardinals for four seasons, recording 86 tackles and 13 sacks. He then signed with the Chicago Bears in 2015 and played for them for four more seasons, registering 155 tackles and five sacks. He also had brief stints with the Buffalo Bills and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2019 before retiring from the NFL.
Sam is now an ESPN sports analyst, a vice president of the NFL Players Association, and an author of Let the World See You: How to Be Real in a World Full of Fakes, which was published in late 2020. He is also a philanthropist who supports various causes such as education, health care, social justice, and racial equality.
Emmanuel Acho: The Younger Brother
Emmanuel Chinedum Acho was born on November 10, 1990. He followed his brother’s footsteps and played linebacker in college. He was a consensus first-team All-Big 12 selection in his senior year and finished his career with 278 tackles and eight sacks.
Emmanuel was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the sixth round of the 2012 NFL Draft. He was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles in 2013, where he played for three seasons. He also spent some time with the New York Giants in 2013 before retiring from the NFL in 2015.
Emmanuel is now a Fox Sports 1 analyst and co-host of Cover Four, a video series on the Dallas Cowboys website. He is also the creator and host of Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man, an anti-racism digital series that features celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey, Matthew McConaughey, Roger Goodell, Chip and Joanna Gaines, among others. He published a book with the same title in 2020, which became a New York Times bestseller. He released a second book, Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Boy, in 2021.
The Acho Brothers: A Bond Beyond Football
Sam and Emmanuel Acho are not only brothers but also best friends who share a strong bond beyond football. They have supported each other throughout their lives and careers, and they have collaborated on various projects such as their podcast called Athletes for Justice and their YouTube show called The Whole Brother Mission.
The Acho brothers are also role models for many young people who aspire to achieve their dreams while staying true to themselves and their values. They have shown that it is possible to be successful in different fields while making a positive impact on society.
Is Sam Acho related to Emmanuel Acho? The answer is yes. They are brothers who have made their mark in the NFL and beyond. They are also brothers who have made their mark on each other’s lives and hearts.
