Arch Manning found an AI-generated video of Texas coach Steve Sarkisian striking ESPN reporter Holly Rowe so funny he called it “hilarious” during media availability on Monday. The Texas quarterback brought up the altered clip himself, dubbing it “a good one” and “hilarious” to reporters, seemingly unaware of the real gravity of the situation. This wasn’t some minor gaffe, y’all. This was a direct comment about a fabricated video of violence against a woman in sports media.
That Monday Media Oops
Manning’s comments came after Texas snagged a comeback victory over Ohio State, 24-23, and a reporter asked if he’d seen any social media edits. He openly shared his amusement, even laughing while saying, “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.” According to ESPN, several other people in the room were also heard laughing. The original postgame exchange saw Sarkisian respond to Rowe with “Texas fight. Hook ’em!” before heading off to celebrate. The manipulated version? It falsely showed him turning back and striking Rowe, knocking her to the ground. Reporter Evan Vieth, who initially shared Manning’s exchange on X with the caption “gold,” later apologized for his own wording, admitting he posted too quickly without grasping what the altered video depicted. It’s a stark reminder that what some see as a joke can have a seriously dark undertone.
The Apology That Followed
The very next day, Manning issued an apology on his Instagram Story, calling his earlier remark “insensitive” and stating there was “nothing funny about it.” He acknowledged that his words had hurt people, making a specific apology to Rowe for what she had personally experienced because of his comments. He wasn’t wrong. Thankfully, Rowe accepted the apology after they spoke privately. She thanked him for the conversation, emphasized its details would remain between them, and stated they would move forward “with respect and kindness for one another.” Manning added that he respected Rowe, appreciated her grace, and understood he needed to be more thoughtful with his words moving forward. That’s a good first step, but the damage was already done for some.
More Than Just An Apology: The Real Stakes
This whole incident goes way beyond one player’s bad judgment. The Association for Women in Sports Media jumped in, issuing a strong statement supporting Rowe and pushing for teams to remind players and staff that women working in sports media deserve serious respect. They weren’t messing around, stating that depictions of violence against women should absolutely not be normalized. This isn’t just about Arch Manning; it’s about the entire culture around how athletes and public figures treat media professionals, especially women. Young athletes, under the microscope more than ever, gotta learn that their words carry weight. Moving forward, Manning’s words about being more thoughtful better stick, and every other player needs to get the message: respect is not optional.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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