Emmanuel Acho (Sort Of) Walks Back Angel Reese Criticism

Few sports pundits nowadays are willing to stake their claim (popular or unpopular) and back it up in the aftermath.

Add Emmanuel Acho to that list, who seemingly backtracked on his highly accurate remarks about LSU star Angel Reese. "In sports, you can’t act like the big bad wolf, then cry like Courage the Cowardly Dog," Acho said concerning Reese, after the Elite-8 loss by the Tigers.

The "SPEAK" co-host delivered a follow-up to his "incendiary" commentary from earlier this week when he called out Reese for putting a target on her back and failing to stand on business when the chips were down. 

Angel Reese can't be held accountable. (Credit: Getty Images)

HOLLYWOOD - Emmanuel Acho attends the Los Angeles Premiere Of Netflix's "Quarterback" at TUDUM Theater on July 11, 2023. (Photo by JC Olivera/Getty Images)

Acho held Reese accountable after the LSU star cried on the post-game podium on Monday after the Tigers' loss to Iowa. 

After winning the national championship last season, Reese wanted to be branded as the villain of college basketball. 

On the post-game microphone, she pivoted away from that character and said she's been a victim of being mocked and ‘over-sexualized’ by social media.

There's plenty of evidence stating she brought that attention onto herself … but the moment wasn't convenient for Reese to play the "big bad."

Acho called her out on her timing. He then released a video in which he profusely thanked his critics for opposing his "gender-neutral" critique of Reese.

Now Acho wants to start a "dialogue," … yuck. Speak for yourself.

Acho said, "I just want to say a quick thank you to everyone who has respectfully reprimanded me and offered brilliant opinions on the Angel Reese conversation. I do not believe there is any one way to think about things."

There are truths to Acho's approach to discourse. 

But folding after backlash ain't it, Acho. 

Give the mob an inch and they'll happily take more.

When the counter-argument states that a person shouldn't be held accountable because of their sex or race, it creates a dangerous precedent for society. Real equality includes real reprimand, when applicable.

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But if we're being completely honest, Acho only backtracked because the (lovely) Taylor Rooks called him out for targeting Reese for being black and a woman. 

None of these were true about Acho's take on Reese … which makes his surrender disappointing. 

Acho's original take only held Reese accountable for her past jabs taken at other players and Reese's silly behavior, meant to conjure up a villain's status. 

Had LSU and Reese advanced past Iowa and won the whole darn tournament, we'd only be talking about more antics from Angel Reese, the Sports Illustrated bikini model.

As a wealthy college athlete entering the WNBA, Angel Reese can find SOME WAY to get over the discourse. Poor Angel … where are the tissues …

(What do you think? Is it time to ‘start a dialogue’? Or do people need to toughen the hell up? Send us your thoughts: alejandro.avila@outkick.com)

Albany, NY - LSU Tigers forward Angel Reese (10) reacts to a foul call against the UCLA Bruins during the second half in the semifinals of the Albany Regional of the 2024 NCAA Tournament at MVP Arena on March 30. Photo: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports

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