Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning issued an apology on Tuesday after he came under fire for laughing about an AI video of his coach Steve Sarkisian slapping ESPN reporter Holly Rowe.
The video in question showed the awkward postgame interview between Sarkisian and Rowe after Texas came back to beat the Ohio State Buckeyes on Saturday night. The altered clip then showed Sarkisian yelling at Rowe and slapping her. Manning brought it up on Monday and laughed when talking about it.
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ABC sideline reporter Holly Rowe prior to the game against the Tennessee Volunteers and the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium on Oct. 5, 2024. (Nelson Chenault/Imagn Images)
“In my press conference yesterday, I made an insensitive comment about an AI video,” Manning wrote in a post on his Instagram Stories. “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.
“I specifically want to apologize to Holly Rowe for what she has personally had to deal with because of my comments. 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 thoughtful going forward.”
Rowe wrote on social media that she accepted Manning’s apology.
“Thank you Arch,” she wrote. “I appreciate our conversation about this – which will remain private. Apology accepted. We move forward with respect and kindness for one another.”
Arch Manning #16 of the Texas Longhorns passes the ball against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the third quarter at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas, on Sept. 12, 2026. (Getty Images)
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The 22-year-old star player came under scrutiny in the hours after the clip of his postgame press conference made the rounds on social media.
Sarkisian’s brief moment with Rowe after the game went viral.
“Texas fight, hook ‘em,” he said before running back to celebrate with his team.
Overall, it appeared to be a frustrating night for Sarkisian. ESPN’s Laura Rutledge said at halftime that technical issues forced Sarkisian to wait a while before a halftime interview could begin. However, it took too long and he needed to prepare for the next half.
“I do want to make sure we clear something up. (Sarkisian) did decline the interview at the half. He had waited a long time, been very patient with some technical issues that we had. He apologized to us. We should be apologizing to him, which we did,” she said.
Texas quarterback Arch Manning warms up before an NCAA college football game against Ohio State in Austin, Texas, on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
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With the victory, Texas was boosted to No. 1 in the Associated Press poll. The Longhorns were as high as No. 1 to start last season but the team lost to the Buckeyes out of the gate and were dropped to seventh.