Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning apologized Tuesday for referring to an AI video of his head coach, Steve Sarkisian, slapping ESPN sideline reporter Holly Rowe in the wake of Texas’ win over Ohio State over the weekend.
On Saturday, Sarkisian first didn’t take part in a halftime interview with ESPN after, reporter Laura Rutledge said, he had to wait too long because of technical difficulties. Rowe then approached Sarkisian for a postgame interview, as is customary, but after he yelled with excitement in the vicinity of Rowe, Sarkisian ran away before he answered any questions.
Inside Texas reporter Evan Vieth asked Manning on Monday whether he’d seen any social media videos about the Longhorns’ come-from-behind victory against the then-No. 1 Buckeyes, and Manning said he saw an AI video of Sarkisian striking Rowe.
“I’ve seen a few AI edits of stuff, but that’s about it. I saw an AI edit of Sark’s interview. Have you all seen that one? That’s a good one. Of him slapping Holly Rowe?” Manning said, laughing, at a news conference.
Vieth shared the video Monday, and it was met with swift backlash.
Manning apologized Tuesday in an Instagram Story.
“In my press conference yesterday, I made an insensitive comment about an AI video. There is nothing funny about it,” Manning wrote. “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 that that lightly and am deeply sorry for that.”
He added: “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.”
Vieth, who initially described Manning’s response as “gold,” also apologized Monday. “I sincerely apologize for how I chose to present the tweet, and I’ll be more careful going forward,” he wrote in part of a social media post.
Rowe thanked Manning for his apology Tuesday.
“I appreciate our conversation about this which will remain private. Apology accepted,” she wrote on social media. “We move forward with respect and kindness for one another.”
Manning, 22, the nephew of NFL legends Peyton Manning and Eli Manning, is in his senior season at Texas. He was a consensus five-star recruit before he committed to the Longhorns in December 2022. He is also a highly regarded NFL prospect and is widely expected to be a first-round pick in next year’s draft.
He is seeking to be the third generation of the Manning family to play in the NFL after Peyton, Eli and his grandfather Archie.
Rowe, 60, has worked full time at ESPN since 1998. She is a reporter on several major events, including college football, the WNBA and the women’s NCAA Final Four.
In 2023, Rowe received the Curt Gowdy Electronic Media Award from the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. She is also an advocate for cancer research after she was diagnosed with metastatic melanoma in 2015.
