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Deebo Samuel responds to Emmanuel Acho's 'glorified mascot' remarks

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 21, 2026, 8:12 PM

Last updated Jul 21, 2026

Deebo Samuel responds to Emmanuel Acho's 'glorified mascot' remarks

Summary

Deebo Samuel has publicly responded to criticism from Emmanuel Acho, who referred to him as a 'glorified mascot' during a segment on the Speakeasy talk show. Acho's comments questioned Samuel's worth to the San Francisco 49ers, citing his sub-1,000 yard receiving performance in recent seasons. Samuel did not take kindly to the remarks, calling Acho a 'mascot' and indicating he would not accept the disrespect. This back-and-forth follows speculation surrounding Samuel’s future with the team, as he enters free agency.

Source Links

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By the Numbers

•Deebo Samuel calls Emmanuel Acho a 'mascot' in response to criticism.
•Acho questioned Samuel's effectiveness with low receiving yard totals.
•Discussion occurred on the Speakeasy talk show with LeSean McCoy.
•Samuel is currently a free agent, with speculation about his future.

Latest Updates

8:12 PMYahoo Sports — Deebo Samuel calls out Emmanuel Acho for “glorified mascot” comments

What they're saying

"
Deebo Samuel is back in the headlines, but it isn’t to announce where he plans to play in 2026. Instead, the former NFL All-Pro is making the news this afternoon for responding to some harsh criticism from former player turned…
— Yahoo Sports

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