Texas quarterback Arch Manning is facing backlash for his reaction to an AI video that depicts his coach, Steve Sarkisian, slapping ESPN reporter Holly Rowe.
As he spoke to reporters on Monday, he appeared to be asked about Sarkisian giving Rowe a very short interview after the Longhorns' comeback win over Ohio State, and his answer understandably angered a lot of people: "I've seen a few AI edits of stuff, but that's about it. I saw edits of Sark's interview ... y'all seen that one? That's a good one, of him slapping Holly Rowe." He laughed.
There's a lot of reaction on X (formerly Twitter) to both his reaction and to that of the others in the room with him, and you can understand why given the violence against Rowe depicted in the AI video.
Here's a roundup:
the laughter from all the men in the room … so, so gross. https://t.co/A0qWuws1Pq
— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) September 15, 2026
why would that be funny https://t.co/oa7GsyiWG6
— Nekias (Nuh-KAI-us) Duncan (@NekiasNBA) September 14, 2026
Some of the supposed adults in the room found AI-generated abuse of a fellow media member to be something worth laughing about? https://t.co/f7EcVPeixn
— christan (no i), ß (@ChristanWNBA) September 14, 2026
this is a horrendous exchange on a couple levels, including this tweet labeling the reply as "gold" https://t.co/S6bu5D8Fym
— Clinton Yates (@clintonyates) September 14, 2026
Can we stop making violence against women the punchline of a joke? https://t.co/LYGgstUlUO
— Kylen Mills (@KylenMills) September 14, 2026
Did Arch Manning apologize or address his reaction yet?
Not as of publishing this. We'll update it if he or Texas does.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Arch Manning ripped for his reaction to AI Steve Sarkisian Holly Rowe slap video
