Add The New York Post on Google Arch Manning dug himself into a hole.
The Longhorns quarterback is facing some heavy pressure following his reaction to the AI video of Steve Sarkisian slapping Holly Rowe that stemmed from a viral clip of the coach blowing off a postgame interview with the ESPN star after Texas’ stunning comeback win over No. 1 Ohio State on Saturday.
When asked whether he saw any AI edits after the game, Manning said: “I’ve seen a few AI edits and stuff, but that’s about it. I saw AI edits of Sark’s interview,” which sparked laughter in the press conference room.
“Have y’all seen that one? That’s a good one,” he added with a smile and a laugh. “Of him slapping Holly Rowe? That’s hilarious.”
The answer had fans and fellow sports media names in an uproar as it spread across social media.
Arch Manning reacts to a viral Steve Sarkisian-Holly Rowe AI edit after an interview snub. EvanVieth/X “Imagine Holly Rowe’s face in that despicable AI video was your daughter’s. Your wife’s. Your sister’s. Still funny? This is gross on so many levels,” Apple TV MLB sideline reporter Tricia Whitaker posted on X. “And no, this isn’t people being ‘too sensitive’ or ‘easily offended.’ Joking about this in a room full of media members and seeing everyone laugh like this? Shame on you.
“A woman being hit isn’t a punchline. Tell that to a domestic violence survivor. Sickening. Holly Rowe is a phenomenal reporter who has spent decades earning respect in this industry. Some things just aren’t funny.”
“The complete lack of awareness by publicly laughing about this video is beyond idiotic,” an X user commented on Manning’s response video.
“Yeah, no, this isn’t funny. It’s pretty s–tty actually,” another wrote.
NFL Network and ESPN’s Stacey Dales chimed in too.
“Holly is an incredible journalist. If I were in her shoes, I’d cringe. But also, why is this normalized. It’s really not funny. Actually, there is nothing funny here,” she posted on X.
ESPN’s Randy Scott also questioned an “Inside Texas” reporter calling Manning’s answer “gold.”
“Well f–k arch manning. Please espn get holly back to the w without all of the misogyny,” another fan said.
“Arch immediately looking at his SID…” someone noted.
Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian abruptly ended his interview with ESPN sideline reporter Holly Rowe after Texas’ 24-23 come-from-behind win over Ohio State on Sept. 12, 2026 in Austin, Texas. On3 / X Sarkisian was also torched for standing up a frustrated Rowe on the field after Texas’ 24-23 win.
As the Longhorns celebrated on the field, Sarkisian joined Rowe and before she got the cue from the broadcast to start her questioning, he started yelling, “That’s called Texas fight! That’s called Texas fight! Hook ’em!”
Sarkisian cut off her question before throwing up the horns and walking away to his team in the back of the shot.
“Honestly, this is just rude of Sark. Holly is a total pro with a job to do,” ESPN’s Madelyn Burke wrote on X.
Manning led the Longhorns to score 21 unanswered points in the second half. He threw 196 yards for a touchdown and an interception.
Texas, the nation’s new No. 1 team, are off to a 2-0 start and will host UTSA on Sept. 19.
