Ex-Super Bowl Champion Leonard Fournette Calls out Emmanuel Acho for Talking Trash While Being A “Bench” Player

Leonard Fournette called out Emmanuel Acho for criticizing Shedeur Sanders after siding with Kevin Stefanski, who was fired by the Cleveland Browns following the recently concluded 2025 NFL season.

Ex-Super Bowl Champion Leonard Fournette Calls out Emmanuel Acho for Talking Trash While Being A “Bench” Player

Shedeur Sanders, Emmanuel Acho and Leonard Fournette inside the circle (Image via IMAGO)

Over the years, Emmanuel Acho has faced criticism for his unfiltered opinions on football. However, Leonard Fournette may be the first to raise questions about Acho’s expertise as a football expert. Fournette, a former NFL running back, called out Acho for criticizing Shedeur Sanders after siding with Kevin Stefanski, who was fired by the Cleveland Browns following the recently concluded 2025 NFL season.

Forunette claimed that Acho does not have the right credentials to go on a show and share his view on football. His next act was to pull up Acho’s numbers from his four-year stay in the NFL. The Texas graduate was drafted by the Browns in the sixth round but never suited up for them. He bounced from the Philadelphia Eagles’ roster to the New York Giants before the Eagles gave him his big break in 2013.

Acho appeared in 20 games for the Eagles over two years, with 14 of those coming in the 2014 season, before retiring a year later. Fournette claimed that Acho isn’t even in the “same lane” as him or the players he discusses on Speakeasy and in all the other ventures he’s been involved in since retiring.

In a video clip uploaded by an X account named “Dalvinthetruth,” Fournette can be heard mispronouncing Acho’s name before going on a rant against the Texans graduate.

I am just being real… You remind me of that Boondocks character… Uncle Ruckus. It’s Uncle Ruckus all over again. And I have a problem with him speaking down on Shedeur. That’s big for me, bro. Just because you did not amount to the things you wanted to, does not mean you are going to knock another man off his pedestal… And if you wanna stick up for coach [Kevin] Stefanski, here are his stats… In 2025, the Browns scored 16.5 points per game, that’s ranking almost last in the NFL. Out of 32 teams, [the Browns] was the 31st team. Is that coach of the year [material]?

Leonard Fournette said

Emmanuel Acho faced backlash for urging Shedeur Sanders to defy Todd Monken

Acho made the headlines right after the Browns hired Todd Monken as the new head coach following Stefanski’s departure. Acho doubted the hire by offering questionable advice to Sanders.

How is Todd Monken going to command that locker room, command that group of men? And also, if I’m Shedeur [Sanders] or anybody in that locker room, why am I listening to Todd Monken? What have you won on an NFL level as a head coach?

Acho said on his podcast
Ex-Super Bowl Champion Leonard Fournette Calls out Emmanuel Acho for Talking Trash While Being A Bench Player
Emmanuel Acho (Image via Sports Business Journal)

Needless to say, Acho faces massive backlash from every corner. Former NFL star tight end Benjamin Watson referred to the take as dumb.

This is dumb. And loud. You listen to Todd Monken because he is your head coach. It’s your job. Also, every head coach was at one point a first-time [head coach].

Former NFL offensive lineman and Current NFL analyst Taylor Lewan tweeted this after listening to Acho’s wild take.

If you’re a young football player in the NFL, this is the worst possible mindset to have. Learn and grow as much as you can from as many as you can. Horrible take, bad for football take.

Former ESPN contributor Jason Whitlock offered an even harsher critique of Acho’s statement.

Emmanuel Acho is trying to tell Shedeur and young black players to rebel against Todd Monken. He’s promoting the same messaging as BLM [Black Lives Matter]. Rebel against authority. Acho thought he would win over social media, but it failed miserably.

Whitlock wrote

Of course, Acho later clarified that social media “misquoted” him. He had no intention of painting Monken in a bad picture.

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