PROFILER- Meet Sam Acho

Sam Acho

Samuel Onyedikachi Acho (born September 6, 1988) is an American football outside linebacker for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at the University of Texas. He was selected by the Arizona Cardinals in the fourth round of the 2011 NFL Draft.

Acho attended St. Mark's School in Dallas, Texas. Starring for the football team, Acho had 12 sacks as a senior and 10 as a junior and was a team co-captain both years. He was also the state private school champion in both the shot put and discus.

As a freshman at the University of Texas, Acho played in 11 games, recording six tackles and a sack. As a sophomore in 2008, he recorded 15 tackles and three sacks. As a junior in 2009, Acho started all 14 games and was named honorable mention All-Big 12 by The Associated Press after recording 55 tackles and eight sacks.

After his senior season in 2010, Acho was voted team MVP. He also won the William V. Campbell Trophy, given annually to college football's top scholar-athlete, as well as the Wuerffel Trophy, college football's premier award for outstanding community service, and was a finalist for the Lott Trophy. During his senior year, the Sporting News named Acho one of the 20 smartest athletes in sports, a list that included two other college players and 17 professionals from the four major American sports.

Acho was selected by the Arizona Cardinals in the fourth round with the 103rd pick overall of the 2011 NFL Draft. In his rookie season as a Cardinal, he made 40 tackles, had seven sacks, and generated four forced fumbles. Acho's seven sacks are the second most ever by a Cardinals rookie, trailing Simeon Rice’s 12.5 in 1996. On October 23, 2011, Acho recorded his first career sack in a 32-20 loss against the Pittsburgh Steelers.On October 30, 2011, Acho recorded his first career forced fumble in a 30-27 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. On October 21, 2012 Acho recorded his first career interception in a 21-14 loss against the Minnesota Vikings.Acho started all 16 contests for the Cardinals, putting together career-highs in tackles (45), sacks (4), interceptions (2), pass break-ups (3), quarterback hits (12) and tackles for losses (6) in 2012. On September 23, it was announced that he would miss the rest of 2013 season and be placed on injured reserve due to a break in his leg in the Week 3 loss to the New Orleans Saints.