Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning has apologized after laughing about an AI-generated video that depicted head coach Steve Sarkisian slapping ESPN sideline reporter Holly Rowe.
The controversy began when a reporter asked Manning after a game whether he’d seen any edited clips circulating on TikTok or Twitter. Manning responded, “I saw the AI Edit of (Sark) slapping Holly Rowe,” and laughed. The clip of his remark has since drawn more than 35 million views online.
The AI video was a fabrication built loosely around a real, tense moment between Sarkisian and Rowe. In the actual exchange, Rowe appeared frustrated that Sarkisian declined to speak with her at the end of the game; he said, “Texas fight, hook ’em,” before jogging back to his team. ESPN also attempted to interview Sarkisian at halftime but said the network’s own technical issues caused a delay, forcing him to return to his players to prepare for the second half. ESPN’s Laura Rutledge said Sarkisian apologized to the network for the mix-up, though she suggested it was ESPN that owed him an apology instead.
The AI clip that prompted Manning’s comment showed Sarkisian appearing to slap Rowe, an event that never happened. Manning’s laughter at the fabricated video drew swift criticism, including from an NFL sideline reporter who wrote online, “If you say things like this into a microphone and laugh enthusiastically in a room full of cameras, I often imagine (and assume) the things that are said in private. Disappointed and infuriated… but never surprised anymore.”
Manning’s Apology
Manning addressed the backlash directly in a post on his Instagram Stories.
“In my press conference yesterday, I made an insensitive comment about an AI video,” Manning wrote. “There is nothing funny about it. 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.”
“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.”
Rowe publicly accepted the apology. “Thank you, Arch,” she wrote. “I appreciate our conversation about this – which will remain private. Apology accepted. We move forward with respect and kindness for one another.”
The episode has become a flashpoint in the broader debate over AI-manipulated media, with commentators split on whether Manning’s laughter reflected poor judgment toward Rowe personally or amusement at the absurdity of a fabricated clip that no reasonable viewer could mistake for reality.
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