Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning apologized Tuesday after taking heat for laughing about an AI-generated video that showed his coach, Steve Sarkisian, slapping ESPN reporter Holly Rowe.
The fabricated clip was built off real footage: an awkward postgame interview between Sarkisian and Rowe following Texas’s comeback win over the Ohio State Buckeyes on Saturday night. In the doctored version, Sarkisian is shown yelling at Rowe and striking her. Manning brought the video up during a press conference on Monday and laughed while discussing it.
By Tuesday, Manning posted an apology to his Instagram Stories.
“In my press conference yesterday, I made an insensitive comment about an AI video. 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.”
He continued, addressing Rowe directly:
“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 responded publicly, saying she accepted the 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.”
The 22-year-old quarterback drew criticism online in the hours after footage of his Monday press conference spread on social media.
The real, unaltered moment between Sarkisian and Rowe after Saturday’s game had already gone viral on its own. Sarkisian told Rowe, “Texas fight, hook ’em,” before jogging off to celebrate with his team.
The night carried other friction for Sarkisian off the field. ESPN’s Laura Rutledge said at halftime that technical issues delayed a scheduled interview with the coach, and he ultimately had to decline it to get back to preparing his team.
“I do want to make sure we clear something up. (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.”
Texas’s win over Ohio State pushed the Longhorns to No. 1 in the latest Associated Press poll. Texas opened last season at No. 1 as well, only to lose to the Buckeyes in its season opener and fall to seventh.
