Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning apologized on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026, after backlash over press-conference comments laughing at an AI-generated video that depicted head coach Steve Sarkisian “slapping” ESPN sideline reporter Holly Rowe, CBS Austin and The Guardian reported.

What Manning said Monday

At a Monday press conference after Texas’ upset of No. 1 Ohio State, Manning was asked about social-media reaction and brought up AI edits of Sarkisian’s postgame interview. “I saw an AI edit of Sark’s interview, you’ve all seen that one?” he said, per CBS Austin and The Guardian. “That’s a good one, of him slapping Holly Rowe.” He added, “It’s hilarious,” drawing laughter in the room. Critics said the bit trivialized violence against women.

The clip was fabricated: it altered footage from after Saturday’s 24–23 win, when Sarkisian interrupted Rowe’s postgame question, yelled Texas slogans, and walked off — separate from the fake slap, The Guardian noted.

Apology and Rowe’s response

Manning posted on his Instagram story Tuesday: “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 specifically apologized to Rowe, said he has “a ton of respect for her,” and promised to “be more thoughtful going forward,” CBS Austin reported.

Rowe posted later Tuesday that they spoke privately, the conversation would remain private, and: “Apology accepted. We move forward with respect and kindness for one another,” per The Guardian. ESPN declined to comment Tuesday, CBS Austin said. Reporter Evan Vieth, who asked the press-conference question, also apologized for calling Manning’s reaction “gold” in a widely viewed X post.

Sources