Texas QB Arch Manning is officially apologizing after comments he made Monday went viral, sparking a firestorm of controversy. Manning, seen by many as a potential No. 1 pick, is facing major backlash for laughing about an AI-generated video that depicted his coach, Steve Sarkisian, slapping reporter Holly Rowe. The whole clip of Manning’s initial comments blew up online and got everyone talking.
The “Hilarious” Comment That Blew Up
The initial comments came from Monday’s media availability, just two days after Texas pulled off a massive comeback, erasing a 23-3 fourth-quarter deficit to absolutely stun Ohio State. That win pushed the Longhorns to the new No. 1 spot in the latest AP Poll, but this social media outrage has totally overshadowed that huge accomplishment. When Inside Texas’ Evan Vieth asked Manning if he’d seen any social media edits from the comeback, Manning said he’d seen “a few” videos. “I’ve seen a few AI edits, that’s about it. I saw an AI edit of Sark’s interview,” Manning said, adding, “Y’all seen that one? That’s a good one. Of him slapping Holly Rowe. It’s hilarious.” That’s the quote that set everything off, right?
Manning’s Instagram Apology Lands
Manning took to Instagram on Tuesday to drop an apology statement, calling his comments “insensitive.” He 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 take that lightly and am deeply sorry for that.” He made sure to apologize directly to Holly Rowe, too, saying he appreciates her “showing [him] grace” after the whole mess. Manning also promised, “I need to do better and will be more thoughtful going forward.” While he didn’t confirm if he spoke to Rowe personally, that “grace” comment definitely makes you wonder if there was a direct chat. Texas is clearly hoping this apology puts an end to this whole saga, and honestly, they probably just want to focus on being the No. 1 team in the nation after that insane Ohio State game.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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