Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning apologized Tuesday for laughing at an AI-generated video of coach Steve Sarkisian appearing to slap ESPN sideline reporter Holly Rowe following the Longhorns’ comeback win over Ohio State, acknowledging his remarks were hurtful and taking personal responsibility for the misstep.
The controversy unfolded swiftly across a matter of days, shifting the mood from one of college football’s most dramatic finishes to an awkward off-field reckoning. Following a historic 24-23 comeback against No. 1 Ohio State—after Texas trailed 20-3 before coming back to win, marking the biggest comeback of the 21st century against an AP No. 1 team—the Longhorns program found itself fielding questions about chaotic sideline scenes rather than just Xs and Os.
How a Sideline Frustration Turned into a Viral AI Edit
The bizarre sequence began Saturday when Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian 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 after Ohio State coach Ryan Day’s interview prior. ESPN issued a public apology to Sarkisian via Rutledge at the start of the third quarter, shouldering the blame for the technical issues, and Rutledge said on the broadcast that he apologized to her at the time before running off.
Following the final whistle, 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, walking away from the traditional postgame interview while yelling Texas fight! Hook 'em!
and running off, leaving Rowe visibly annoyed after the fact.
In response, a social media user generated a revolting video of Sarkisian turning back and slapping Rowe in the face and yelling at the camera. While AI videos and edits have become common on major social media sites over the past several years following growth of the technology—often used to spread misinformation or make jokes at the expense of their subjects—this particular clip crossed from internet obscurity into mainstream sports headlines during a Monday media availability.
The Monday Press Conference and Immediate Backlash
During his weekly media session, 22-year-old quarterback Arch Manning—who is the nephew of NFL legends Peyton Manning and Eli Manning, is in his senior season at Texas, was a consensus five-star recruit before he committed to the Longhorns in December 2022, is a highly regarded NFL prospect widely expected to be a first-round pick in next year’s draft, and is seeking to be the third generation of the Manning family to play in the NFL after Peyton, Eli and his grandfather Archie—was asked by Inside Texas reporter Evan Vieth whether he had seen any social media videos about the Longhorns’ come-from-behind victory against the then-No. 1 Buckeyes.
What followed immediately drew fierce public criticism.
“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?”
Arch Manning, Texas Longhorns quarterback
Manning said, laughing, at a news conference, adding on Monday: I saw an AI edit of Sark's interview. Of him slapping [reporter] Holly Rowe? Yeah, it's hilarious.
A tangible portion of the Texas press corps, which includes print and television, can be heard laughing along while Manning delivered his response. Vieth shared the video Monday with the added caption that Manning’s answer was “gold,” and the clip quickly went viral Monday evening, viewed more than 20 million times as of Tuesday morning.
Public Apologies and Moving Forward
Recognizing the severity of the unforced error, Manning took to Instagram on Tuesday to issue a direct statement via an Instagram Story.
“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 that that lightly and am deeply sorry for that.”
Arch Manning, Texas Longhorns quarterback
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. Manning
Vieth, who initially described Manning’s response as “gold,” also apologized Monday, writing in part of a social media post: I sincerely apologize for how I chose to present the tweet, and I’ll be more careful going forward.
Rowe, who is 60 years old, has worked full time at ESPN since 1998, is a reporter on several major events including college football, the WNBA and the women’s NCAA Final Four, received the Curt Gowdy Electronic Media Award from the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2023, and is an advocate for cancer research after she was diagnosed with metastatic melanoma in 2015, accepted the quarterback’s outreach. She thanked Manning for his apology Tuesday, writing on social media: I appreciate our conversation about this which will remain private. Apology accepted.
She added: We move forward with respect and kindness for one another,
effectively closing a turbulent chapter for the Longhorns program.