Texas quarterback Arch Manning ignited a social media firestorm this week, openly laughing at a controversial AI-generated video of his coach, Steve Sarkisian, “slapping” reporter Holly Rowe during a media availability. Manning’s candid comments, which were quickly dubbed “gold” by a reporter, have catapulted the already viral video past 20 million views by Tuesday morning, making it an undeniable sensation.
The Sarkisian Spectacle and a “Revolting” Digital Echo
The whole wild situation began right after Texas pulled off a historic 24-23 comeback victory over top-ranked Ohio State on Saturday. Coach Steve Sarkisian, clearly pumped from orchestrating the biggest 21st-century comeback against an AP No. 1 team after being down 20-3, made headlines for his unusual postgame behavior. He walked away from the traditional postgame interview with reporter Holly Rowe, yelling “Texas fight! Hook ’em!” as he ran off the field. Rowe was visibly annoyed by the abrupt exit, and the moment became an immediate talking point. Not long after, a social media user took that real-life interaction and AI generated a truly revolting video. This digital edit showed Sarkisian turning back, slapping Rowe in the face, and yelling at the camera. The original clip of Sarkisian running off had already gained traction, but this AI version, designed to mock the incident, took on a life of its own.
Manning’s Laugh Fuels the Fire
Fast forward to Monday, and 22-year-old Arch Manning was “riffing” with reporters during an availability. When asked if he’d seen any of the online “mayhem” or “AI edits” circulating after the big win, Manning’s response was pure gold. “I saw a few AI edits but that’s about it,” he said, with a laugh that reverberated through the Texas press corps. Then he dropped the bombshell: “I saw an AI edit of Sark’s interview. Of him slapping [reporter] Holly Rowe? Yeah, it’s hilarious.” The room, a mix of print and television reporters, could be heard laughing along. Evan Vieth, the reporter who asked the question, tweeted out the video of Manning’s answer, adding that it was “gold.” The clip exploded across social media, drawing well over 20 million views within hours. It’s a stark reminder that AI videos and edits, often used for jokes or to spread misinformation, have become a dominant force in the digital landscape.
Beyond the Viral Moment: A Season of High Stakes
This whole saga adds another layer to what was already an eventful weekend for Sarkisian. Earlier in the Ohio State game, at halftime, he also ran away from reporter Laura Rutledge, claiming she made him wait too long. Rutledge clarified on the broadcast that Sarkisian had apologized to her at the time, explaining a technical issue was to blame following Ohio State coach Ryan Day’s interview. ESPN even issued a public apology to Sarkisian via Rutledge to begin the third quarter, taking responsibility for the technical snafu. For the Texas Longhorns, this victory means everything. While the focus right now is on the digital drama, the team just pulled off a monumental comeback against the nation’s top-ranked squad. With Arch Manning’s star power only growing, and Sarkisian’s fiery sideline persona getting this kind of viral attention, every snap, every interview, and apparently, every AI edit, is going to be under a microscope. You gotta wonder what kind of digital “mayhem” we’ll see next weekend.
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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