Acho played college football for the Texas Longhorns before being selected by the Cleveland Browns in the sixth round of the 2012 NFL draft.

In addition to his broadcasting responsibilities, he created and hosted an anti-racism digital series Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man.

Sonny Acho has also served as pastor to the Living Hope Bible Fellowship Church and as a mental health professional in North Dallas.

As a senior, he was consensus first-team All-Big 12 linebacker (Coaches, AP, Houston Chronicle, San Antonio Express-News, Fort Worth Star-Telegram).

He won the 2010 Arthur Ashe Award, was named to the 2011 AFCA Good Works Team, and was a three-time first-team Academic All-Big 12 selection.

[21] Acho was one of four hosts of "Cover Four" which airs on the official website of the Dallas Cowboys, and was one of four anchors at the Texas Gameday Desk on the Longhorn Network.

[22] On June 10, 2020, it was announced that he would be leaving ESPN to join Fox Sports and co-host the afternoon studio show Speak for Yourself, replacing Jason Whitlock.

[23] On June 3, 2020, following the murder of George Floyd, Acho began a digital series, entitled Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man,[24] "in order to educate and inform on racism, systemic racism, social injustice, rioting & the hurt Black people are feeling today".

(ISBN 9781250801067) and became a #1 New York Times bestseller in its first week of publication[27] On February 27, 2021, Acho announced that he would host the 25th season of The Bachelor "After the Final Rose" Special, replacing Chris Harrison.

[30] On August 31, 2022, FS1 announced their new fall lineup, promoting Acho as the lead anchor of the rebranded Speak, accompanied by two-time Super Bowl champion and six-time Pro Bowler LeSean McCoy and longtime FS1 studio show contributor and host Joy Taylor.

In April 2024, Acho published a book co-authored with Israeli activist, actress, model and producer Noa Tishby entitled Uncomfortable Conversations with a Jew.

[31] The book explores Judaism and the history of antisemitism in America and around the world through a structure in which Acho asks questions and Tishby answers them.

[32] On February 20, 2015, Acho took time off from his graduate studies at the University of Texas and flew to Purcellville, VA, to personally accept Delmonte's prom invitation, nicknamed 'Promposal' by the media.