Bears' Sam Acho Speaks Out Against NFL's Handling Of Domestic Violence Cases
By Chris Emma--
LAKE FOREST, Ill. (CBS) -- Bears linebacker Sam Acho couldn't stay silent.
Early last week, Acho had just welcomed a beautiful baby girl to the world, his second child. He stepped away from the team briefly to join his young family, but back in the NFL world, an ugly incident had unfolded.
News broke that Giants kicker Josh Brown had admitted to repeated incidents of domestic violence in a journal released last Wednesday. He had previously been arrested in May 2015. The charge was dropped, and he was issued a suspension of one game by the NFL, which he served in the 2016 season opener. Brown was released Tuesday.
His frustration brewing, Acho spoke out on Twitter, calling Brown's actions and the NFL's handling "disgusting, embarrassing, and just about any other word you can think of." Asked about the tweet, Acho further explained himself in more than 140 characters.
"Any type of abuse, whether it's domestic violence or verbal abuse or physical abuse or emotional abuse, it's wrong," Acho said. "I'm coming from a place of speaking up for those who may not be able speak for themselves -- speaking up for what's right and what's wrong.
"I wish I could go to (commissioner) Roger Goodell and be like, 'Hey, man, this is wrong.' Right? But the least I can do is voice my opinion and at least let people know the conversations we have in the locker room. We talk about this stuff all the time. We know what's right and what's wrong."
The Giants allowed Brown to return after his one-game suspension. He played in the following five games until the documents were released last week. The team signed Acho's former Bears teammate, Robbie Gould, to replace Brown.
Finally, after mounting pressure against the Giants and owner John Mara, Brown was released. Mara admitted the team's decision to wait was "misguided." It was Mara who oversaw the Mueller Report -- an investigation into the NFL's handling of the Ray Rice domestic violence case -- and expressed that the league encountered "a wake-up call" to do a better job with resources in investigating incidents of this nature.
Acho took over as one of the Bears' NFLPA players representatives for Gould, who was released by the team prior to Week 1. He hasn't been able to speak with Goodell or the NFL but feels his words already resonates.
"He knows the message," Acho said of Goodell. "Pretty much what I said still holds. We got to stand up for justice. It's not always about the bottom line, it's not always about making the most money. It's about doing what's right. Sometimes, doing what's right may cost your team money, it may cost you money, it may cost people around you money or your reputation, but it doesn't mean you shouldn't stand up for what was right."
Acho said chose to speak out not as a father, a son, a brother or an NFLPA players' rep but as a Christian. In addressing this issue, Acho expressed how the actions of few shouldn't be reflected upon the NFL's players.
Unfortunately, the NFL has now seen several incidents of domestic violence in recent years. Acho hopes he can help put an end to it.
"I talk the talk," he said. "But I need to walk the walk."
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago's sports scene and more for CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670 and like his Facebook page.
