Sam Acho, former NFL player and current ESPN NFL analyst, spoke at the Ronald Reagan Foundation Center on Civility & Democracy’s inaugural Reagan Civility & Democracy Forum last week, advocating for improved civility among Americans, particularly in sports.

"We talked about civility in sports and how many of the same attributes athletes use can be applied to civil discourse: sportsmanship, winning and losing the right way, and playing within a set of rules," Acho told Fox News Digital. He emphasized that the dynamics of NFL locker room debates can serve as a model for civil discourse in society.

Reflecting on past events, Acho recalled how players addressed controversial moments such as Colin Kaepernick's national anthem protests without avoidance, stating, "No, I actually went and said, 'Oh, we have practice in like 15 minutes.' Then we had meetings in two hours."

Acho also shared insights on the influence of politics in sports environments and the responsibility of athletes and sports media to promote civility nationwide. During a preseason game at Ford Field in Detroit, 74 players from the Buffalo Bills were observed, underscoring the scale and impact of professional sports.

He further remarked on the importance of focusing on the game itself, saying, "Well, look, I went there and I'm a broadcaster and we won or we lost or they got the call right."

Acho’s comments highlight the potential for sportsmanship values to encourage respectful dialogue and accountability both on and off the field.

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