ESPN college football sideline reporter Holly Rowe has drawn backlash from fans over a brief exchange involving Miami wide receiver Malachi Toney.
“Holly Rowe genuinely believes she’s bigger than the players and coaches,” one frustrated fan wrote on X after Miami’s 41-13 victory over ACC rival Clemson on Saturday night.
Neither Toney nor Miami has expressed frustration with the interaction. Still, some fans took issue with a short remark Rowe made while wrapping up an interview with quarterback Darian Mensah and turning her attention to Toney.
“Malachi,” Rowe said as she turned to her left, where she found Toney embracing Clemson coach Dabo Swinney.
“Oh, he’s talking to Dabo, mid-interview,” Rowe said with a smile before Toney turned toward the cameras.
For a segment of the college football audience, that seemingly casual observation crossed a line.
Malachi Toney (left) embraces Clemson coach Dabo Swinney during a postgame interview
Holly Rowe’s seemingly harmless remark sparked criticism from college football fans Saturday
Malachi Toney recorded five catches in Miami’s win but otherwise had a relatively quiet night
“She literally is complaining about Toney hugging Dabo ‘mid’ interview,” wrote one viral poster who identified as a member of Miami’s Class of 2027. “Every week she makes it about herself.”
The latest criticism came as Rowe was already facing online attacks over comments made by Texas quarterback Arch Manning—not because of anything Rowe had done herself.
While discussing an awkward postgame exchange between Rowe and Texas coach Steve Sarkisian after the Longhorns’ September 12 win over Ohio State, Manning referenced a fabricated AI video showing Rowe being punched in the face. Manning and local reporters laughed about the remark before the quarterback eventually apologized.
Rowe never publicly complained about the AI video or Manning’s comment. Instead, she accepted his apology and encouraged everyone to “move forward with respect and kindness for one another.”
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The AI video was based on this postgame exchange between Holly Rowe and Texas coach Steve Sarkisian, who declined an interview and flashed a “Hook ’Em” sign
Arch Manning laughed with reporters while discussing an AI video depicting Sarkisian backhanding Rowe, who never publicly objected to the clip or his remark
Despite her measured response, Rowe has continued to receive abusive messages from fans, with the latest wave arriving after Miami’s win over Clemson.
“The media and officials have an inherent need to be the center of attention by trying to make it about them for one reason or another,” one angry X user wrote.
Another critic called Rowe’s behavior “unprofessional and disrespectful.”
One commenter went even further, describing the longtime ESPN reporter as a “horrible human.”
But Rowe does have her defenders, who accused her critics of ‘rage baiting.’
‘Yall really just be creating reasons to be mad at women,’ one fan responded on X.
‘I didn’t see anything wrong by her,’ another added.
‘How is that complaining?’ one fan asked. ‘She’s doing an interview and doesn’t know if Dabo is in the shot so she’s informing the audience.’
Another Canes fan described Holly Rowe as ‘an utmost professional who is highly regarded by the media and athletes alike.’
Rowe has been at ESPN in one capacity or another since 1995 and also frequently covers the WNBA. She recently lost her mother, which she revealed to her followers last month.
‘We buried my beautiful Mother today,’ Rowe wrote on X. ‘We honored her with the things she loves most…Dr. Pepper, Purple, Butterflies released and music.
‘So grateful for my amazing family. We laughed, cried and loved on each other today. Love you Momma, You raised an amazing family.’
