Texas quarterback Arch Manning has publicly apologized to ESPN reporter Holly Rowe after facing criticism for comments he made during Monday’s press conference.
Manning and the Longhorns were still celebrating their dramatic victory over then-No. 1 Ohio State, rallying from a 20-point deficit in the fourth quarter to win at home.
By Monday, Texas had risen to No. 1 in the national rankings. But an uncomfortable postgame exchange between Rowe and Longhorns coach Steve Sarkisian had also sparked widespread debate online after Sarkisian declined the interview.
When asked whether he had seen the interaction, Manning said he had come across several AI-generated parodies. The 22-year-old redshirt junior specifically mentioned one edited video that depicted Sarkisian slapping Rowe.
The remark prompted considerable laughter from reporters in the room, with Manning laughing as well.
A video of the exchange quickly went viral. Manning was criticized for appearing insensitive, with many condemning his “disgusting” reaction to an AI video portraying an assault on Rowe, a veteran journalist and cancer survivor.
Texas quarterback Arch Manning apologized after laughing at an AI-generated video depicting an assault
The AI video was based on a postgame exchange between reporter Holly Rowe and Texas coach Steve Sarkisian, who declined an interview before flashing a “Hook ’Em” sign
Manning laughed with reporters while discussing an AI video that showed Sarkisian backhanding Rowe to the ground. The quarterback apologized on Instagram the following day.
“In my press conference yesterday, I made an insensitive comment about an AI video. There is nothing funny about it,” Manning wrote in an apology shared to his Instagram story.
“It’s easy to say I didn’t mean it, but I know my words and actions were hurtful to a lot of people. I do not take that lightly and am deeply sorry for that.”
Manning continued: “I specifically want to apologize to Holly Rowe for what she has personally had to deal with because of my comments. I have a ton of respect for her and appreciate her showing me grace in this moment.”
“I need to do better and will be more thoughtful going forward,” the Texas quarterback concluded.
Rowe later responded on Instagram, saying she accepted Manning’s apology.
“Thank you Arch. I appreciate our conversation about this – which will remain private. Apology accepted. We move forward with respect and kindness for one another,” Rowe wrote.
The disturbing AI video in question shows Sarkisian backhanding Rowe to the ground before putting two fists up to his forehead and running away like a bull.
Manning’s comment drew significant criticism online, where some were angry with both the quarterback and the male reporters in the room for laughing.
WARNING – VIOLENT CONTENT
Sarkisian celebrated a memorable win after a dramatic fourth quarter comeback in Austin
‘A revealing & disgusting moment at Texas: Arch Manning, 22, unable to control his laughter while talking about the AI edit of his coach ‘slapping Holly Rowe,’ best-selling author and USA Today columnist Christine Brennan wrote on X. ‘And all the laughter in the room accompanying & encouraging him. Will be interesting to hear the explanations/apologies.’
‘There are just things you don’t comment on,’ another critic added. ‘Weird he thinks it’s funny to begin with.’
One Texas fan warned against making Manning available to the media: ‘Needs to be removed from all interviews going forward otherwise he will be asked questions about this 100x a week until the end of the season.’
But for all of the criticism, an army of Manning supporters quickly emerged.
‘I actually like him more now!’ one fan wrote on X.
‘The best part of sports these days is having women around to tell us not to laugh at stuff,’ read one sarcastic comment.
Another fan warned Manning and the reporters against issuing any apologies.
‘None of them should apologize,’ the person wrote, adding: ‘They don’t need to and I hope they realize that.’
Sarkisian’s Longhorns scored 21 unanswered points to beat Ohio State in a massive victory
But there was one apology on Saturday.
Since the Sarkisian-Rowe incident, ESPN’s Laura Rutledge has since issued an apology to Sarkisian for a technical problem that led to the cancelation of his halftime interview.
‘Alright, we actually just lost Sark because he had to go,’ Rutledge explained at halftime. ‘I’m sorry about that, you guys. He waited for a long time. Credit to him for waiting. We’ll try to get him on the way out of the half.’
Rutledge was unable to speak to Sarkisian as he made his way back out for the second half but later assured viewers that he had ‘been very patient’ and ‘apologized’ despite the fact she said ESPN owed him the apology.
She explained: ‘I do want to make sure we clear something up. [Steve Sarkisian] did decline the interview at the half.
‘He had waited a long time, been very patient with some technical issues that we had. He apologized to us. We should be apologizing to him, which we did.’
