NFL Linebacker Sam Acho: ‘My Faith is a Part of Who I Am’

Chicago Bears linebacker Sam Acho is a Christian — on and off the field. While he wants to be “the best outside linebacker in the NFL,” that’s not his only goal. Acho says his faith is part of who he is and prays that he can “get to the people that may never hear [the Gospel], and … be a light to them.”

Acho grew up in the shadow of Tony Perkins’ Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship, where his father was a pastor. Growing up in Dallas with Nigerian parents, Acho says his childhood was about “strict family values, school’s first, education is huge, sports was just something on the side.” In fact, Acho says he didn’t even think about being in the NFL until he reached college, when it dawned on him that “wow, this thing might be able to work.” Now he’s in his seventh season as a pro football player. But his strong Christian roots also drew him into the mission field.

Acho’s family started a Christian charity — Living Hope Ministries — that provides free medical care to Nigerians in need and tells them about Jesus. “There’s so much in Scripture that talks about … taking care of the orphans and the widows in their need,” said Acho. He added that we’re called “to be the hands and feet of Jesus as Christians.”

He doesn’t just tell Nigerians about Jesus. “I want to be a light to my teammates,” he says. While he has brothers in Christ on the team, Acho says that there are plenty of guys on the team who don’t know Jesus. “Let me get to the people that may never hear and let me be a light to them.”

Hear more of his interview with the Chicago Sun-Times for the “Face to Faith” podcast: