Notching an impressive 3.55 GPA in the prestigious McCombs School of Business at Texas, Sam Acho twice earned First-Team Academic All-America honors while being named a First-Team Academic All-Big 12 performer three times. Playing defensive end for the Longhorns, Acho finished in top 10 at the school for career sacks, forced fumbles and fumble recoveries. As a senior, he landed Walter Camp Second Team and the Associated Press Third Team All-America honors. Chosen in the fourth round of the 2011 Draft by the Cardinals, he spent four years with the franchise, followed by four with the Bears and last season with the Bills and then the Buccaneers. While playing for the Cardinals, he earned his MBA at Thunderbird School of Global Management in Glendale, Arizona. Acho and his family have received wide praise for their efforts to send doctors on medical mission trips to Nigeria. He continues his work in Nigeria to this day, and he currently serves on the Board of Directors for Living Hope Christian Ministries as well as a vice president with the NFL Players Association.
What do you love most about the Texas football program and what was your most memorable college game?
My most memorable game was the 2009 Big 12 Championship against Nebraska. I'm glad that Texas gave me the opportunity to play at the next level.
You played college football alongside your younger brother, Emmanuel. As special as that must have been, was there ever any sibling rivalry and who was the biggest trash talker?
I loved playing with Emmanuel. In most sports, we were on the same team talking trash to opponents and backing each other up.
It is often said that nothing unifies this country like sports. What role does football play with regard to the social issues that plague our country?
The social issues of our country are often left untaught. Sports can be a unifying factor, but sports can also be an escape. I'm grateful for the stoppage of sports [that occurred this year] because people are now paying attention to bigger systemic issues.
Because of the pandemic, the upcoming football season could be anything but typical. What are you looking forward to most this season and how did you stay in shape during quarantine?
I stayed in shape by playing with my kids and training on my own. I'm looking forward to a new season of life. The world has changed, and I'm looking forward to new conversations and rallying people together to make a change.
Funniest word/catch phrase used by a coach?
"Is that fair?"
Guilty pleasure TV show?
Law and Order SVU.
Go-to junk food of choice?
Graham crackers.
Favorite sport besides football?
Basketball.
Favorite vacation spot?
Hawaii.
Campbell Trophy Q&A Background:
Click here for more information on The William V. Campbell Trophy® Presented by Mazda, which has been presented every year since 1990 to the nation's top scholar-athlete from the college gridiron. In 2019, Mazda became the sponsor of the Trophy, launching their Power of Potential Platform with ESPN. The trophy is a member of the National College Football Awards Association, which encompasses the most prestigious awards in college football.
Today's Q&A represents the fifth in a series of Q&A sessions with former winners of the Campbell Trophy.
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