Emmanuel Acho, a former NFL linebacker turned TV sports analyst, has faced some backlash for his recent comments about college basketball star Angel Reese.
On Tuesday’s FOX Sports show “Speak,” Acho and the panel began discussing Reese’s emotional press conference when the nation was exposed to some of the criticism he has dealt with over the past year.
“I’ve been through a lot,” Reese said. “I’ve seen so much. I’ve been attacked so many times, I’ve received death threats. I’ve been sexualized, I’ve been threatened. I’ve been attacked so many times, I’ve been threatened with death. I’ve been through a lot, but I’ve stood strong every time,” Reese said after LSU’s 94-87 loss to the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Elite Eight.
“I’m just trying to be strong for my teammates because I don’t want them to see me down and not be able to be there for my teammates. I’m still human. All this happened after I won the national championship. I haven’t done anything yet.” It’s been peaceful since then. ”
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Emmanuel Acho speaks on stage during the SXSW “Why America Sweats and Why We Sweat” panel on March 14, 2023 in Austin, Texas. (Matt Hayward/Getty Images, Degree® Deodorant)
Before commenting, Acho said he and Reese share “a gender-neutral and racially insensitive view” of her comments.
“You can’t be the big bad wolf and cry like Courage the Cowardly Dog,” he said, referring to the Cartoon Network character.
LSU’s Kim Mulkey posts proud message to Angel Reese after Reese declares for WNBA Draft
Acho suggested that Rees should have handled the defeat differently.
“If you want to act like you’re grown, she is. If you want to be paid like you’re grown, you are. If you want to talk to grown-up people like you’re grown, then you are. You’ve been doing that…and when you take the ‘L’ after the game, you just put it to your chin,” he said.
Angel Reese, 10, of the LSU Tigers during the first half of the NCAA Tournament’s Elite 8 game against the Iowa Hawkeyes on April 1, 2024 in Albany, New York. (Sarah Steer/Getty Images)
“What frustrates me is when you want to be the villain and expect sympathy, like the hero,” he added. Reese talked about being labeled a villain for his competitive behavior on the court.
See the X moment
“Speak” co-hosts LeSean McCoy and James Jones seemed to agree with Acho’s view. However, Acho faced similar critics, including another co-host, Joy Taylor, who questioned why Reese became publicly known as a “villain.”
“She didn’t demonize herself. She showed herself unapologetically, just like men do all the time,” she said, adding later that Reese said, “Nobody should be going through what they’re going through. It’s not the same as what people are experiencing,” he added.
Angel Reese of the LSU Tigers during the first half against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament at MVP Arena on April 1, 2024 in Albany, New York. (Sarah Steer/Getty Images)
Mr. Acho appeared to take the backlash in stride, thanking those on social media for what he said were “respectful rebukes.”
“I’m not going to stand on a hill and say I’m right and you’re wrong,” he said. “I just stand in one place and say, ‘Hey, this is what I believe. What do you believe? Listen to each other and reflect on our collective beliefs. Let’s build it.”
See the X moment
Earlier this week, Reese confirmed he plans to leave LSU and enter the WNBA Draft. She is expected to be selected in the top 10.
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Reese averaged 18.6 points and 13.4 rebounds in 33 games this season.
Follow Fox News Digital X sports broadcastplease subscribe Fox News Sports Huddle Newsletter.
Chantz Martin is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.
Emmanuel Acho responds to critics who ‘respectfully reprimanded’ him over his Angel Reese comments
Emmanuel Acho, a former NFL linebacker turned TV sports analyst, has faced some backlash for his recent comments about college basketball star Angel Reese.
On Tuesday’s FOX Sports show “Speak,” Acho and the panel began discussing Reese’s emotional press conference when the nation was exposed to some of the criticism he has dealt with over the past year.
“I’ve been through a lot,” Reese said. “I’ve seen so much. I’ve been attacked so many times, I’ve received death threats. I’ve been sexualized, I’ve been threatened. I’ve been attacked so many times, I’ve been threatened with death. I’ve been through a lot, but I’ve stood strong every time,” Reese said after LSU’s 94-87 loss to the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Elite Eight.
“I’m just trying to be strong for my teammates because I don’t want them to see me down and not be able to be there for my teammates. I’m still human. All this happened after I won the national championship. I haven’t done anything yet.” It’s been peaceful since then. ”
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Emmanuel Acho speaks on stage during the SXSW “Why America Sweats and Why We Sweat” panel on March 14, 2023 in Austin, Texas. (Matt Hayward/Getty Images, Degree® Deodorant)
Before commenting, Acho said he and Reese share “a gender-neutral and racially insensitive view” of her comments.
“You can’t be the big bad wolf and cry like Courage the Cowardly Dog,” he said, referring to the Cartoon Network character.
LSU’s Kim Mulkey posts proud message to Angel Reese after Reese declares for WNBA Draft
Acho suggested that Rees should have handled the defeat differently.
“If you want to act like you’re grown, she is. If you want to be paid like you’re grown, you are. If you want to talk to grown-up people like you’re grown, then you are. You’ve been doing that…and when you take the ‘L’ after the game, you just put it to your chin,” he said.
Angel Reese, 10, of the LSU Tigers during the first half of the NCAA Tournament’s Elite 8 game against the Iowa Hawkeyes on April 1, 2024 in Albany, New York. (Sarah Steer/Getty Images)
“What frustrates me is when you want to be the villain and expect sympathy, like the hero,” he added. Reese talked about being labeled a villain for his competitive behavior on the court.
See the X moment
“Speak” co-hosts LeSean McCoy and James Jones seemed to agree with Acho’s view. However, Acho faced similar critics, including another co-host, Joy Taylor, who questioned why Reese became publicly known as a “villain.”
“She didn’t demonize herself. She showed herself unapologetically, just like men do all the time,” she said, adding later that Reese said, “Nobody should be going through what they’re going through. It’s not the same as what people are experiencing,” he added.
Angel Reese of the LSU Tigers during the first half against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament at MVP Arena on April 1, 2024 in Albany, New York. (Sarah Steer/Getty Images)
Mr. Acho appeared to take the backlash in stride, thanking those on social media for what he said were “respectful rebukes.”
“I’m not going to stand on a hill and say I’m right and you’re wrong,” he said. “I just stand in one place and say, ‘Hey, this is what I believe. What do you believe? Listen to each other and reflect on our collective beliefs. Let’s build it.”
See the X moment
Earlier this week, Reese confirmed he plans to leave LSU and enter the WNBA Draft. She is expected to be selected in the top 10.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Reese averaged 18.6 points and 13.4 rebounds in 33 games this season.
Follow Fox News Digital X sports broadcastplease subscribe Fox News Sports Huddle Newsletter.
Chantz Martin is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.
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