Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Sep 16
Arch Manning, Reporter Apologize Over AI Video of Holly Rowe as Texas Furor Widens
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Sep 16

Arch Manning, Reporter Apologize Over AI Video of Holly Rowe as Texas Furor Widens

3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Sep 16

Summary

  • Arch Manning and reporter Evan Vieth both apologized after Manning laughed at an AI-made clip falsely showing Texas coach Steve Sarkisian slapping ESPN sideline reporter Holly Rowe.
  • Monday’s media session turned into the flashpoint when Manning called the fake video “hilarious” and reporters in the room laughed along, prompting backlash for trivializing violence against a woman.
  • The clip built on an already tense episode from Texas’ 24-23 win over No. 1 Ohio State, when Sarkisian abruptly ended Rowe’s postgame interview instead of answering her questions.
  • Rowe accepted Manning’s apology privately, while the episode widened scrutiny of conduct around Texas football after a separate racist social-media post from Texas Railroad Commissioner candidate Bo French.

Insights

How did a historic 20-point football comeback get overshadowed by a fake AI clip of a coach slapping a reporter?
Will ESPN face consequences for the broadcast blunders that triggered Steve Sarkisian's viral postgame walk-off?
What really fueled Texas to erase a massive deficit against the nation's top team in the final fifteen minutes?