Emmanuel Acho, MA

MA Sports Psychology, NFL linebacker, Emmy award winning co-host of Speak for Yourself and Fox Sports Analyst

Emmanuel Acho is a modern thought leader who inspires audiences to challenge the status quo and drive meaningful, lasting change. As a Fox Sports Analyst and host of FS1’s SPEAK, Acho is renowned for his influential voice in both sports and social discourse. He also hosts and produces the Emmy Award-winning series Uncomfortable Conversations with Emmanuel Acho, Executive Produced by Oprah Winfrey, which has amassed over 100 million views across social media. This groundbreaking series tackles complex conversations about race in America, advocating for safe spaces, community bridge-building, and the crucial role of open dialogue, empathy, education, and personal responsibility in addressing systemic issues. Acho's impact has earned him two Emmy Awards—Outstanding Sports Personality/Emerging On-Air Talent and Outstanding Short Form Nonfiction or Reality Series. What began as a digital initiative has grown into New York Times bestselling books under Oprah’s imprint, along with expanded online content, panels, and thought leadership initiatives that continue to shape national conversations.

Following his successful tenure as the host of FS1’s SPEAK, Emmanuel Acho will join FS1’s morning lineup with his new show, The Facility, which premieres live from Los Angeles on Tuesday, September 3. On this dynamic new show, Acho will co-host alongside former NFL stars LeSean McCoy, James Jones, and Chase Daniel. With a collective 36 seasons of professional football experience, this powerhouse team will offer a comprehensive and multifaceted perspective on sports. Acho will anchor the show alongside McCoy, a two-time Super Bowl champion and six-time Pro Bowler, while Jones, a Super Bowl-winning wide receiver, and Daniel, a two-time Heisman Trophy finalist and veteran NFL quarterback, contribute their expert insights and unique viewpoints each weekday.

In addition to The Facility, Emmanuel will host a brand-new show, Second Chance Stage, premiering November 28 on Max. He will be joined by country music superstar Martina McBride, acclaimed actor Taye Diggs, and Saturday Night Live comedian Heidi Gardner. Filmed in Kansas City, this eight-episode talent competition series, produced by Sony Pictures Television’s The Intellectual Property Corporation, offers contestants who have set aside their dreams for years, even decades, a second chance at their big break. The show will feature a two-episode weekly drop on Max, with the finale premiering on December 19.

In his latest book, Uncomfortable Conversations with a Jew, which quickly became a New York Times Bestseller, Emmanuel Acho and co-writer Noa Tishby confront challenging questions about antisemitism. The book delves into sensitive topics such as Jewish stereotypes, power dynamics, and the essence of Judaism, providing profound insights into the roots of Jewish hatred in America. With Tishby’s Israeli-American perspective and Acho’s Nigerian-American background, the book offers a diverse range of viewpoints that make complex concepts more accessible. Their dialogue is designed to educate and empower readers to recognize and address bigotry, underscoring that hatred against any group threatens us all.

In collaboration with Oprah Winfrey, Emmanuel Acho released Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man on November 10, 2020. This book, the third title under the “An Oprah Book” banner, debuted at #3 on the New York Times Bestsellers list. Following this success, Acho published Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Boy in the spring of 2021, and Illogical: Saying Yes to a Life Without Limits in March 2022.

After earning his undergraduate degree in Sports Management in 2012, Emmanuel Acho was drafted by the Cleveland Browns. He was later traded to the Philadelphia Eagles in 2013, where he spent the majority of his NFL career. During the off-seasons, Emmanuel pursued a master’s degree in Sports Psychology at the University of Texas. In 2016, he transitioned from the football field to broadcasting, launching his media career. By 2018, Emmanuel had been promoted within ESPN to become the youngest national football analyst and was recognized as a Forbes "30 Under 30" honoree. Additionally, in 2017, he and his family’s non-profit organization, Living Hope Christian Ministries, successfully raised funds to build a hospital in rural Nigeria.