In Black America

This week on In Black America, producer and host John L. Hanson, Jr. speaks with former NFL and Texas Longhorn linebacker, ESPN analyst, and humanitarian Sam Acho prior to the 2024 Allstate Sugar Bowl in New Orleans, about his work with the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team and Son of a Saint.

The full transcript of this episode of In Black America is available on the KUT & KUTX Studio website. The transcript is also available as subtitles or captions on some podcast apps.

Announcer [00:00:15] From the University of Texas at Austin, KUT Radio, this is In Black America.

Sam Acho [00:00:23] What brought me to the Allstate AFCA Good Works team was the fact that I was serving. Okay, so I went to the University of Texas and I was playing football there and went to the national championship and went to a Fiesta Bowl and all these things. But, you know, I was academically trying to get good grades and honest program. But the most important thing or one of the through line, through all that was giving back and was serving. And so every summer I would go to Nigeria like we had, you know, maybe two years ago, or actually maybe it was my first year, my last year, there was a year I didn’t go or to do and do my commission trips. My parents are an organization called living Hope Christian Ministries, and they’ve been doctors and nurses, surgeons, dentist, ophthalmologist, pharmacies, pediatricians. We’d go and we’d give back. And I’ve been doing that. I was 15, so before I even got to college, 15, 16, 17, 18, you know. And so serving that way and also, you know, because it’s great to serve abroad, but also great to serve at home, right? So you know how it would go. Right? So in Austin and even in Dallas we do fundraising events. But in Austin I go and go to hospitals as a kid. And so that service was a through line in my life. But also the Austin HCA Good Works team took notice. Not just of me.

John L. Hanson Jr. [00:01:31] Sam Acho, former Texas Longhorn NFL linebacker, author, humanitarian, and in-studio analyst for ESPN. Prior to this year, Allstate Sugar Bowl contest between the University of Texas Longhorns and the University of Washington Huskies, the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team connected with the Sons of Saint You for Day of service. Established in 1992 by the College Football Association, the Allstate Afca Good Works Team recognize the efforts made by college football players and students support staff on and off the field. In 1997, the Afca became the governing body of the award and continue to honor college football players who go the extra mile for those in need. How do you intend Tebow led? That sums up Saint youth in football drills and a game of flag football. I’m John L. Hanson Jr. and welcome to another edition of In Black America. On this week’s program, the Allstate Afca Good Works team with Sam Acho, In Black America.

Sam Acho [00:02:36] I went, why me? Because I heard, okay, you got Tim Tebow as an ambassador. Like this man, is.

John L. Hanson Jr. [00:02:42] Heisman Trophy.

Sam Acho [00:02:42] High to be.

John L. Hanson Jr. [00:02:44] Right?

Sam Acho [00:02:44] College football hall of fame. Millions of followers I socially all these things. And then UVA. There’s a litany of other people as well. But I’m like, wait, y’all excusing me? And it was just a reminder of oh, I like I am doing the work right. Even it, you know, whether it’s Chicago or even in. And so I’ve done work in New Orleans. I had a chance to go to the Louisiana State Penitentiary multiple times a year. I do prison ministry, and I’ve written a couple of books. One of the books, got Change Starts with You.

John L. Hanson Jr. [00:03:06] I’m going to get to that.

Sam Acho [00:03:06] Yeah. So I’ve written about about this work and I’m like, oh, wow. And then I get a chance to get into that room and listen to the yes men from all state, but also people from all state, but also the young men who are who were on this team. And I’m like, well, this is where I belong. So I would say this is the one at least now where I’m like, wait, me right. Why me? Because it just, you know, I’m 15, 15, 13 years removed. Yet the work, we’re still doing it right? And it speaks for itself.

John L. Hanson Jr. [00:03:35] As a child growing up in Dallas, Texas, his parents emphasized galaxies, achievement and community service. Sam macho is one of just a handful of former Longhorns. There were All-Americans and academic All-Americans in the same year, when he see both honors in 2010. For more than a decade, Ochoa has been involved with the Allstate Afca Good Works Sea prior to this year’s Allstate Sugar Bowl contest between the University of Texas and the University of Washington, he participated in football drills and a flag football game with kids from the Sons of Saint Lawrence. In 2011, Sons of Saint addressed the growing problem of violence boys in the New Orleans area. The organization is dedicated to his mission of transforming the lives of young males through mentorship, emotional support, development of life skills, exposure to constructive experiences, and formative of positive, lasting peer to peer relationships. In Black America spoke with Acho regarding his participation with this endeavor.

Sam Acho [00:04:37] So life was it was great. I remember I grew up in Dallas. My parents were born and raised in Nigeria. They came over to America, and initially I was going to church and school in South Dallas, and I noticed there were some disparities from when I switched schools in North Dallas. So we went to church in South Dallas, but schools in North Dallas, you saw some of the food insecurity differences, the availability for different things. And so it was it was great. But also, I could tell there were some disparities. Part one. In part two, my family was parents are born and raised in Nigeria. So we always would go back every Christmas and New Year to visit family. But also my parents started going to Nigeria with living Hope. We started a ministry called living Hope Christian Ministries. They would go every summer to do medical mission work. And so as I grew older, I saw these different worlds. And as I continue to grasp, oh well, there are ways that I could actually help serve in all these different worlds.

John L. Hanson Jr. [00:05:25] What was it like attending Saint Laurent, one of the premiere preparatory school?

Sam Acho [00:05:29] What was great, and to your point, right. So before Saint Mark’s is actually at a school called Fellowship Christian Academy, which is right in Oak Cliff, right as part of the Oakley Bible Fellowship. And I was there for a few years. And whenever my dad said, hey, you know, there’s a school called Saint Mark’s. It’s a all boys school. I’m in second grade, and you want to go? I don’t know if you’re right. And I went there and it was great and I loved it. But also that was a, you know, a predominantly white school and in a, in a, in a more wealthy kind of neighborhood, but also still seeing those disparities in when I’m going to church and or on Wednesday nights and all those things. So I loved my time in Saint Mark’s, learned so much and grew so much and probably wouldn’t be where I was today, where I am today, if not for that time in Saint Mark’s and a time in Oakland.

John L. Hanson Jr. [00:06:09] I think if I would ask you this next question, maybe about 15 or 20 years ago, you probably have a different answer. But growing up in a house of academics was more important in athletics.

Sam Acho [00:06:20] Yes, yes.

John L. Hanson Jr. [00:06:21] How did that help frame you? Know, your thought processes.

Sam Acho [00:06:24] Well just gave me a great foundation. So many people and even athletes, we think that sports is everything. And if you lose, let’s say you get an injury or something happens all of a sudden the thing that was most important is taken away. Or our parents number one focus was on our faith in Jesus. It was like, hey man, like our faith in God is number one. And then secondly was like, hey, family matters a ton. But a third wasn’t necessarily athletics. It was actually academics, because that can’t be taken away from you. And even to the point of some of the people were meeting here with the waves, I’ll say they say good works team. They’re these are great athletes. But I was talking to a guy, just how do you say, man? Well, my football career may be coming to an end. What do I do now? And then it’s like, well, but you have whether it’s academics or maybe the way you serve and who you serve and how you serve, that can’t be taken away. That’s who you are. So growing up, to your point, it wasn’t like, I’m gonna go be this football star. It was not, man. We go back, we give back, we serve. You know, grades matter. All those things.

John L. Hanson Jr. [00:07:22] You’re a 2010 alumnus of the honest, a Good Works Afca team. What brought you to that organization? And tell us why you’re here in New Orleans for the Sugar Bowl.

Sam Acho [00:07:34] Yeah, well, I’m here because of the Allstate FCA works. And to be totally honest, there’s some stuff on my side now that I get to say, you know, do with ESPN. So I’ll be a part of the game. But what brought me to the Allstate Afca Good Works team was the fact that I was serving. Okay. So I went to the University of Texas and we were playing football there and went to the national championship and went to a Fiesta Bowl and all these things. But, you know, I was academically trying to get good grades in August program. But the most important thing or one of the the through line, through all that was giving back and was serving. And so every summer I would go to Nigeria. We had, you know, maybe two, three weeks off I would go or actually it was my first year or my last year. There was a year I didn’t go or two years and do medical mission trips. My parents had an organization called living Hope Christian Ministries, and they bring doctors and nurses, surgeons, dentist opthamologist, pharmacies, pediatricians. We’d go and we’d give back, and I’ve been doing that since I was 15. So before I even got to college, 15, 16, 17, 18, you know, and so serving that way and also, you know, because it’s great to serve abroad, it’s also great to serve at home. Right? So you know how it would go. Right? So in Austin and even in Dallas we do fundraising events. But in Austin I go and go to hospitals and with the kids. And so that service was a through line in my life. But also the Allstate HCA Good Works team took notice, not just of me, but there’s there are 22 student athletes and coach. You get a coach as well who are part of that team. And so these are students from all athletes and athletes from all around the country who are trying to be excellent on the field, excellent academically, but excellent off of the field. And so that piece serving in Nigeria, serving in Austin, serving in that wherever I’ll say in the NCAA good works team took notice. And I was I got a chance to be nominated for that award and be a part of that team in 2010, which was amazing because it’s still one of the greatest honors I won, you know, won a bunch of different awards. This is the one that now I get a chance to be an ambassador for, for your state AFC works team.

John L. Hanson Jr. [00:09:27] Now, the organization in which you all are participating with tomorrow addressing the fatherless problem here, not just in New Orleans, but nationally. Why is that important for you to come here and speak to these young men?

Sam Acho [00:09:42] Yeah, because it’s more than just about what you did, you know, or who you were. It’s about who you are and what are you doing? We just came from a meeting with the team at All state and the team at FCA, and it was like, hey, this is here. This is what we’re about. Tim Tebow gave a speech and I got a chance to speak. This is who we are. This is what we’re about. So we’re not just here to win an award and go to a game and present a trophy. We are here to serve. And so tomorrow will be at the Saints practice facility. We’ll be able to spend time with son of a Saint, one of the groups that helps address Fatherlessness. And we’ll be able to spend time with some young men who are experiencing, if you will, Fatherlessness. Right. Their fathers are in the household or incarcerated. Maybe. Maybe some have passed away, right? And we know the statistics of when it’s due. When a child has a father in the home versus not in the home. Some of the differences there. And so our job is to go and to serve. And so I’m excited to be going and Tim Tebow and obviously you know Jameel Franklin, all these guys who are part of this all city works team. So guys obviously you’re playing in championship games right now so they can’t go right loud McConkey. Blake Corum is going to be in the in the game tomorrow so he won’t be able to go. But it’s important because this this is not just a war that you it’s not just an award you just put on your trophy case. This is what you this is who you are. And that’s the message that I have. And even then, Tim, Tim had as well of, hey, this is just a beginning. So the charge is to continue to serve and we are showing our faith in action.

John L. Hanson Jr. [00:11:02] Now this question is like number Nate, 10 or 15 on my list to ask. But you talking about awards of all the awards and honors you’ve received thus far. Yeah. Which award did you say? Me why me? When you were were children that you were a recipient of that honor? Yeah.

Sam Acho [00:11:20] Well, there’s two pieces I would say if the real piece. So this is not vendors is more of a noun. Okay. For being a, an ambassador. It’s a bunch of people that that are on this team.

John L. Hanson Jr. [00:11:30] Is.

Sam Acho [00:11:31] So, you know, they got 22 every year. You get Division one, Division two, and I and so I’m thinking, okay, they said, Sam, we want you to come and be an ambassador for the All City FC, a good works team. I went why me because I heard okay, way you got Tim Tebow as an ambassador like this man is Heisman Trophy.

John L. Hanson Jr. [00:11:47] Heisman trophy, right?

Sam Acho [00:11:48] College football Hall of Fame, millions of followers I social we obviously. And then you’ve there’s a litany of other people as well. But I’m like wait y’all excusing me? And it was a reminder of oh I like I am doing the work. Right. Even it, you know whether it’s Chicago or even in. And so I’ve done work in New Orleans, I have a chance to go to the Louisiana State Penitentiary multiple times a year. I do prison ministry and I’ve written a couple books. One of those called chain Starts with.

John L. Hanson Jr. [00:12:11] You, and I’ll get to that. Yeah.

Sam Acho [00:12:12] So I’ve written about about this work. I’m like, oh, wow. And then I got a chance to get into that room and listen to the yes men from all state, but also people from all state, but also the young men who are whoever were on this team. And I’m like, oh, this is where I belong. So I would say this is the one. At least now I’m like, wait, me right. Why me? Because it just, you know, I’m 15, 15, 13 years removed. Yet the work we’re still doing.

John L. Hanson Jr. [00:12:38] In the South, right?

Sam Acho [00:12:39] And it speaks for itself.

John L. Hanson Jr. [00:12:41] I was impressed and and and overjoyed when I sit up and watch the video on the to USC for football camp that you were supposed to be invited to talk to was don’t don’t give us the whole litany of the talk to us because we was interracial in a point where it wasn’t about you all and to and it wasn’t about you all but understanding that things happen in God’s time.

Sam Acho [00:13:08] Yes. So football was not number one in our household as you heard him. It was faith. It was our faith in Jesus. Right? And God is a is a is mental health professional, a marriage counselor. He’s also a pastor, pastor, church faith. It was not us, our family, but our culture. I came from Nigeria, came from nothing. Like we’re not y’all not but embarrass.

John L. Hanson Jr. [00:13:29] Us.

Sam Acho [00:13:30] In academics. So when this opportunity my parents just saw me and my little brother cared a lot about football, I was playing and doing well. It’s okay. I want to go to this camp. Sure. We’ll go. Yeah. So we go to this in 2006. Go to a I’m a junior getting ready to be a senior in high school, go to football camp at USC University in California there back to back national championships and champions. They just went to. And everyone invited only camp or not invited. And not only that, it was their top 300 camp, the 300 best players from the entire state of California. And we show up and somehow, someway they let us in. But also when we showed up, we showed up to compete.

John L. Hanson Jr. [00:14:03] Aim.

Sam Acho [00:14:04] To be the best. And after that it was a two day camp. And after the end of the camp, I get called up to Pete Carroll’s office and essentially the long and short of it is they offer a scholarship. And it was this thing of like, whoa! And there’s more to the story, right? Funny enough, they showed interest. First they said they will be in touch. We have another camp coming into the video.

John L. Hanson Jr. [00:14:22] We’ll go, hey, exactly.

Sam Acho [00:14:23] But the point was like, I was like, hey, coach, he said. He said, hey, we’re interested, but what were you talking a couple weeks? I said, okay, sounds great, but hey coach, in a couple of weeks I’ll be in Nigeria. I’m doing medical mission work. The point of that is, hey, while I’m playing, I’m we’re still serving, right? Where are you? Whether scholarship or not, we’re going to go and do this work. And so anyways, he said, don’t worry, we’ll be in touch. Will they actually call me while I’m in the airport getting ready to go? And that was kind of what the whole story and journey started. The point of that is actually turn them down. I said no and get on the plane. And while I’m serving, I forgot about the stresses of, wow, I can’t believe I said we’re just doing what I would love, what I was born to do, like we were born to, to give, to serve, to love, to lead. And so came back. And that’s when people that’s when I started getting all these offers. The point is, while you’re serving, God provides while you’re giving, while you’re leading, while you’re loving, God provides.

John L. Hanson Jr. [00:15:15] So it was, you know, the, the second or third choice after all these offers that were were presented to you.

Sam Acho [00:15:22] Or you choose actually the the first choice, they actually were one of the schools that didn’t offer.

John L. Hanson Jr. [00:15:26] Okay.

Sam Acho [00:15:27] And the long and short of it is that Mack Brown that week, I mean, I was on vacation and or whatever, but then they ended up offering and they said, hey man, like all the hopes and dreams you have, you can accomplish them here. But we are an actual family. I met with Mack Brown, his wife, my mom and dad were there, my brother, and they kept their word right. They they I got a chance to play and play at a high level. Was in the business honors program, got a chance to go back and give back and serve. I brought teammates with me to Nigeria. A guy named Trey Allen came with, I think Terrell Higgins came with me once. I’m out here to do this medical mission work. And so it was a place where I could actually go and give back and serve. And that’s why I was I got a chance to be nominated for for the oscillating single works team.

John L. Hanson Jr. [00:16:05] Obviously, a lot of time is is afforded for you. All of it dissipated at a high level. And Division one school, how will you? I was soon going to say Mark probably had a lot to do with, but navigating those waters. Okay, we have practice time, which is, you know, three, four hours a day, but also you need to be up to your classwork, which is three, four hours a day, amending those two demands.

Sam Acho [00:16:33] And my dad was a huge part in helping me. Is that really my dad? And then we had a professor named Herb Miller who taught me that because my dad was very pragmatic. Okay, it’s 24 hours a day. You’ll be you’ll be at practice for, you know, you might sleep for eight. That’s that’s 16 left. You practice and meetings and film and waiting room. That’s ten hours, right. You got six left. You got classes you need to study. That’s there. You have time for your day. That’s your day. But then they’re also like, people are going to do what they’re passionate about. It’s free time. You have off season. You have off time. And so I think it was him. And then and then and then also remind, remembering that like, hey, but what brings me life is he, you know, yes, I can remember life is going in Nigeria because me life is doing this work. So doing this work in the city that I’m at.

John L. Hanson Jr. [00:17:18] Your career at the NFL went you to Carter and and I was looking at the the team that that they that you play for. You went to Arizona and then you went to Chicago and then you went to Buffalo and then you went to Tampa. I’m saying cold, hard, cold. Well, what is it about that?

Sam Acho [00:17:37] Well, it’s funny, I never experienced cold, really. I think.

John L. Hanson Jr. [00:17:41] I know.

Sam Acho [00:17:42] It twice. And then I went to grew up in Dallas, went to school in Austin, got married. So. And I’m like, this is great. My one prayer was like, and this is the, you know, when I was a free agent was like, hey, I want I finished my time in Arizona. And the three things I wanted was an opportunity to compete. I wanted the chance to compete for a starting spot, an opportunity to make an impact in whatever community I made. I wanted to go somewhere like like when I was in college where I was like, oh, Nigeria. I’m going, I’m giving them, give it, make sure I wanted, you know, Arizona was great, but I was like, man, I want a place where I could really make a huge impact. And then secondly, and then thirdly, I wanted warm weather and two out of three afternoon. But I went to Chicago, but I got a chance to compete for starting spots, starting to get a chance to go and give back and serve in Chicago. This couple organizations I still am a part of their and I didn’t get the warm weather. But it was just a reminder of, hey dude, this is who you are. It’s not fulfilling that. Oh, look, I won this award. And look, I’m making money on TV. No, but like, when you give and, you know, it’s just like when you give, you get more than you could ever imagine.

John L. Hanson Jr. [00:18:44] Exactly. You’re an author twice now. Yeah. Talk to us about your latest book.

Sam Acho [00:18:48] Yeah. My latest book is called Change Starts with You following Your Fire to Heal a Broken World. And it really talks about fighting injustices, whether at home or abroad. 2020 Covid, Covid happened. George Floyd killed my driver, he killed. And people say, what do we do? How do we what we and family’s going on? Yeah, yeah. Madness. So got some athletes together just to sit and listen, you know, to some of the kids in the community, to some of the police officers, have a conversation and also take a tour and look at what’s going on. And as we took a tour of the West Side of Chicago, we discovered, yes, there was, you know, broken glass and looting right as we boarded up buildings. But also we discovered a food desert.

John L. Hanson Jr. [00:19:27] Right?

Sam Acho [00:19:27] Two grocery stores, 17 liquor stores and a half mile radius.

John L. Hanson Jr. [00:19:30] So no job.

Sam Acho [00:19:32] Yeah. So we decided to do something about it. Raise money. And by the grace of God, I was going to buy a liquor store to go to Food Mart. And the great thing about that story, and that’s what the second attempt is on the second book of hey, what fire do you have? I don’t know anything about much about food. I sort of like to eat it, you know. So what fire? Do you have a passion? You were the answer to somebody else’s prayers. And so that was what, 2020, 2021 ten, a decade after being on I’ll say they say the worst time.

John L. Hanson Jr. [00:20:00] Once your career in the NFL had ended. But obviously there was more for for for Sam Macho to do. How did you happen to go to ESPN?

Sam Acho [00:20:08] Yeah, so I finished playing and I was still training. It was Covid, right? Was that same year all this happening in our. We’re still training and we know if there was going to be season or not. And I was thinking about getting into TV and I hired an agent. And a week before, you know, college football was canceled and they said, hey, it’s going to come back. And major said, hey, can you be back in Chicago in a week? I said, sure. So it’s of the networks small network called Stadium do that for out of one small but like I did stadium there for a season. And then I was like, well, shoot, let me go to Longhorn Network. That was when I was in Austin. I mean, it also would have made sense. And so I did a spring game, but in 2021, I guess it was for the University of Texas football team. That was my audition. And they’re a subsidiary of ESPN, right. And one of the that a woman there named Andy Walsh was one of the big names. She says. She said, Sam, that was excellent. I’m saying email to ESPN. I’m telling them if they don’t hire you, I will, I got you. And that opened up the door.

John L. Hanson Jr. [00:21:02] I was wondering, well, with something that that took place they for yesterday you were on ESPN and your brother was on crack. Do you ever talk about ratings?

Sam Acho [00:21:13] Oh, he talks about ratings every day. He plays every single day. But it’s funny because our parents, like, our guys are.

John L. Hanson Jr. [00:21:20] Watching watching.

Sam Acho [00:21:22] TV. Yeah. You know, but it goes back to like, you know, we were I was just in that building with some of the winners and like, we got a chance to bring okay. And an individual and some of the guys brought their wives. But a lot of that parents at that age and it was that reminder. That’s what Tim Tebow said to he’s like hey congrats to you guys. But congrats to the parents right. My parents are watching my brother and I on TV though. I mean, we’re so proud. I imagine these parents are seeing their sons say, man, I’m so proud of my son for the work that he did on the field, in the classroom, but in the community.

John L. Hanson Jr. [00:21:55] So did you ask Sonny and Kristi who they watched that even.

Sam Acho [00:21:59] I did that. They actually actually in Nigeria now they’re like, okay, after leaving Home Medical Center, he’s trying to make sure everything situated there.

John L. Hanson Jr. [00:22:05] Okay, couple more questions. Also, being an ambassador for the International Justice.

Sam Acho [00:22:10] Mission.

John L. Hanson Jr. [00:22:11] Mission, and we talked about that the last time we spoke a couple years ago. Tell Allianz about that.

Sam Acho [00:22:15] Yeah. So the International Justice Mission is the largest anti-human trafficking organization in the world. And so it goes back to once again, like, why do who who are you and why are you here? And speak up for those who can’t speak up for themselves. That’s what Tim spoke on as well. Like, hey, speak up. And so I got a I’ve got a chance to be an ambassador for them and to speak up for, the millions of people who are trapped in inhuman human trafficking. Right? Whether it’s online sexual exploitation, whether it’s police abuse of power. We had a chance to speak up for them in, in the state.

John L. Hanson Jr. [00:22:47] How do you manage all the time, how the different organizations and functions that you’re participating in on a daily basis? Now, we week this was a daily thing for you.

Sam Acho [00:22:58] Yeah. Well a lot of it is seasons, right. So I go for a season or a few seasons. I was a big ambassador for AGM. Okay. That was great. And this year, you know, I’ve kind of stepped away and, doing different things is still an advocate. But now I get a chance to be an ambassador for all the Allstate FCA Good Works team for this season. And hopefully for more. We’re talking Tim has been here for seven, eight, nine seasons. So it’s like, man, I want to be a part of that because not just the work that you hear about, right? Even ESPN, I’m on ESPN. I get a chance to meet the guys. Jamie on Franklin. I’ve talked about him over and over again. Now I’m seeing Jamie on right. Matthew Synder from Cal and the work that he’s doing. Right. I’m meeting these guys. Right. Ethan Downes I’m meeting these guys. And so for me, I get a chance to pour in, either be present where your feet are, and I get a chance to pour into these guys, because this organization and all the good works team and the people not only have poured into me, but are pouring into me by allowing me to come in and still be around and to speak up.

John L. Hanson Jr. [00:23:55] What is it like to come and one participate in this event? But the school in which you graduated from school, in which you played on and is at a high level this day and part of this week, meant to you that spot?

Sam Acho [00:24:10] Oh, it’s been amazing. I was planning on coming anyways because of all state and how much this event means to the team. The the the 22 winners. Right. Coaches city FC works team. So I was going to be here by the grace of God. Anyways, and then when I found out Texas was going to be in the game for me, it was just icing on the cake. So I was like, yeah, sure, I love to watch. And then I find out I get a chance to cover the game with ESPN. I’ll be doing the simulcast, the mega cast on ESPN to the Field Pass, so that’s just icing on the cake. But the the reason I’m here is because the Allstate HCA good Works team and those, those young men who are part of that team now that the Texans are not I’ve been here for that.

John L. Hanson Jr. [00:24:52] So how do you control that objectivity?

Sam Acho [00:24:54] That’s a great question. That’s a really good question because for the most part, I try to be objective, especially with my role at ESPN. But the hard part is like, you meet some people, right? Like, even like, like when I started rooting for Damian, I do because I’m like, oh, man, this dude can play. I mean, he’s on the team. So I sort to root for him, right? Matthew Cindric and I’m rooting for these. Guys are. So, I think for that piece, it’s a little bit. I’m not gonna say hard. It’s real because, like, men, you know, people. And then with Texas as well, I’ve got a chance to cover the team. So I know them and, you know, but it’s hard because you watch tape. Like, I want to say what the tape says. So I don’t know. I’m definitely I want I want Texas to win. Right. Just from a selfish perspective. But I’m also just glad they were able to make.

John L. Hanson Jr. [00:25:36] This.

Sam Acho [00:25:36] You know, and and then I want them to finish. Right. Just like we told the guys like, hey, congrats, you made it. But this is just a beginning, right? We’re not just saying it. We’re doing it. Tomorrow will be at the same facility working with of the same in five years. These guys might be winning. Waltman man of the year awards. In ten years, they might be starting their own nonprofits. That is just the beginning. And so I’m excited about Texas being here. I want them to finish.

John L. Hanson Jr. [00:26:00] Final question, Sam, in looking at all of the things you’ve done and currently are doing, it seem that you have an affinity for young people. Why?

Sam Acho [00:26:09] So I love there’s a verse it says, speak up for those who can’t speak up for themselves in Proverbs. And we start off chapter 30 for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and just forget to defend the rights of the poor and the needy. So whether it’s young or old, like there’s really working in the Louisiana State Penitentiary over in Nigeria, we do work in in Chicago and Arizona. Just moved to Dallas. By God’s grace. We doing work there, no matter how young and old. It’s like, who can’t speak, who can’t speak up for themselves? And the challenge of charge to me as a follower of Jesus, they say your job is to speak up for them. And if you’re not, you’re not doing your job. The Bible says that obedience is better than sacrifice. Oh yeah, I could do this sacrifice all this. And Bible says like the, you know, the sacrifices for God are broken and contrite, heart broken, and contract heart. He can’t deny he doesn’t need food. You don’t need things. He is. The Bible says the heaven is the law, and this earth is there his footstool. So what can we give him is our obedience of the Bible says to speak up, to stand up, to step up. That’s what I need to be doing. And so and God sees and he rewards. He rewards those who diligently seek him. But you get rewarded according to your work. And so like yes, Allstate Afca good works like that works matters. Not just good thoughts, good ideas, no good works.

John L. Hanson Jr. [00:27:31] Sam Acho, former Texas Longhorn NFL linebacker, author, humanitarian, and in-studio analyst for ESPN. If you have questions, comments or suggestions as the future In Black America programs, email us at inblackamerica.org. Also, let us know what radio station you heard us over. Don’t forget to subscribe to our podcast and follow us on Facebook. Next, you’re going to have previous programs online at kut.org. Also, you can listen to a special collection of In Black America programs at American Archive of Public Broadcasting. That’s americanarchive.org. The views and opinions expressed on this program are not necessarily those of this station, or of the University of Texas at Austin. Until we have the opportunity again for technical producer David Alvarez, I’m John L. Hanson Jr. Thank you for joining us today. Please join us again next week.

Announcer [00:28:31] CD copies of this program are available and may be purchased by writing to In Black America CDs, KUT Radio, 300 West Dean Keeton St, Austin, Texas 78712. This has been a production of KUT Radio.

This transcript was transcribed by AI, and lightly edited by a human. Accuracy may vary. This text may be revised in the future.