Emmanuel Acho isn't letting Shilo Sanders off the hook. The former NFL linebacker and current media personality took a stand against the Colorado safety's recent remark to Cleveland Browns reporter Mary Kay Cabot, calling it a clear-cut case of misogyny. On his show Speakeasy, Acho didn't mince words, declaring that Sanders had crossed a line that shouldn't be ignored.
During an interaction with Cabot, Sanders told her to "make a sandwich" — a phrase many see as a sexist trope. While some fans brushed it off as a harmless joke, Acho saw it as something much darker. "Shilo Sanders crossed the line with the Mary Kay Cabot ‘make me a sandwich’ comment. Just because he doesn’t think it’s misogynistic doesn’t make it any less grossly misogynistic," Acho wrote on X, doubling down on his criticism.
The backlash was swift, but not entirely against Sanders. A segment of NFL fans rushed to defend the young safety, arguing that his words were taken out of context. "He didn’t say ‘Make me a sandwich’ he said ‘Make a sandwich.’ Something similar to go touch grass. Acho has fallen so far from grace," one user posted. Others pointed to what they saw as Cabot's unprofessionalism, with one fan claiming, "Shilo was absolutely right — Cabot has been spreading lies for a year."
This isn't the first time Sanders has clashed with reporters. The incident adds fuel to an ongoing feud that began when Monken's QB comments ignited Shilo Sanders' feud with Browns insider. For his part, Sanders has refused to back down, offering no apology for his clapback.
Acho, who has built a reputation for thoughtful commentary on social issues, is no stranger to controversy himself. He recently took center stage at the controversial Enhanced Games, a move that drew both praise and criticism. But in this case, his stance is clear: athletes need to be accountable for their words, especially when they target reporters doing their jobs.
The debate over Sanders' comment highlights a larger tension in sports: the fine line between playful banter and outright disrespect. While some argue that Cabot's reporting history — including a controversial story that contradicted the Browns' public stance — invited the response, others say that two wrongs don't make a right. The controversy over Sanders' sexist jab shows no signs of cooling down.
Ultimately, the lesson might be simple: when dealing with the media, less is more. The less you say, the less can be used against you in the court of public opinion. For Sanders, that lesson might come with a side of humble pie.
