Arch Manning’s weekend started with a comeback win on Saturday for Texas, but Monday was a whole different story, and by Tuesday, he was busy trying to fix a serious unforced error. The Texas quarterback had to apologize for making what he called an “insensitive comment” about an AI video that’s been making the rounds.
The “Hilarious” Comment That Sparked Backlash
So, what happened? At a Monday press conference, Manning got asked if he’d seen any fan clips from that big win against Ohio State. He replied, “I’ve seen a few AI edits of stuff, but that’s about it. I saw an AI edit of Sark’s interview. Have y’all seen that one? That’s a good one. Of him slapping Holly Rowe? It’s hilarious.” Yikes. The video he was talking about showed Texas coach Steve Sarkisian violently slapping ESPN sideline reporter Holly Rowe. Naturally, calling something like that “hilarious” sparked some serious backlash, given how jarring the video itself was.
Manning’s Apology and a Nod to Holly Rowe
Manning quickly took to social media to post his apology. He owned up to it, saying, “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 made sure to specifically apologize to Holly Rowe, acknowledging what she’s had to deal with because of his comments. He ended by stating, “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” , a tough lesson learned publicly for the young quarterback.
This whole situation is a stark reminder that in the age of viral content, words carry weight, especially for a high-profile player like Manning. He’s got to be more careful, simple as that.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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