Arch Manning is staring down an avalanche of bad headlines right now, and it’s all because his coach, Steve Sarkisian, is missing a massive opportunity to protect his young star quarterback. The controversy isn’t just disappearing; it’s getting amplified, and Sarkisian’s silence after a huge win is making things way worse for everyone.
Manning’s ‘Hilarious’ Mistake and His Apology
Look, Manning messed up, big time. The 22-year-old quarterback put himself squarely in the crosshairs by finding an AI-generated video “hilarious,” especially since it depicted something as serious as violence against women. Specifically, it showed his coach slapping ESPN reporter Holly Rowe. That’s just immature, full stop. But to his credit, Manning stepped up. On Tuesday, he posted a note on his Instagram story, saying he was “deeply sorry.” He admitted his “words and actions were hurtful to a lot of people,” directly referencing Rowe in his apology. He owned his part of it, which is the first step.
Sarkisian’s Deafening Silence
Here’s where it gets frustrating. Manning has apologized, but the controversy is still raging, and Sarkisian is sitting on his hands. This whole mess started when Sarkisian chose to blow off his ESPN interview after the incredible comeback win against then-No. 1 Ohio State last Saturday night. He just yelled “Texas Fight, Hook ’em!” and stormed off in celebration. We all love enthusiasm, but that was a moment for professionalism. Then, on Monday, he had an availability and *still* didn’t address blowing off the postgame interview with Rowe. It’s a huge missed chance to take some of the heat off Manning. The New York Times and Good Morning America are already running with this story, and all the focus is on the quarterback, not that thrilling Ohio State victory. It feels like Sarkisian needs to own how he handled his moment with Rowe. Yeah, he had a weird situation with Laura Rutledge at halftime where technical issues meant he waited a long time and then had to go be with his team, even apologizing to her for declining the interview. But that doesn’t excuse his actions after the game.
The Stakes: Protecting Players and Admitting Fault
This isn’t just about PR; it’s about protecting a player’s well-being and setting the right tone for the team. Sarkisian has to admit fault for his actions and make it clear that proper steps are being taken to ensure his players are more respectful about serious issues like violence against women. This is a massive learning experience for Manning, a teachable moment that the coach should be leading. Instead, his silence is letting the internet have its way, and his star quarterback is paying the price. Sarkisian needs to step up, make his own apology, and take some of the spotlight off Manning. Until he does, this controversy is just going to keep overshadowing everything else.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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