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Just days after the biggest win of his football career, Arch Manning has been at the center of online backlash.
The Texas quarterback, who commanded a stunning comeback over No. 1 Ohio State on Saturday, spoke to reporters Monday afternoon as the Longhorns prepare for Week 3. One of Manning's comments — joking about an AI-created video depicting Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian slapping ESPN reporter Holly Rowe — has put him in some hot water.
With Texas reporter Evan Vieth sharing Manning's comments online Monday, both Manning and a collection of Longhorns writers were criticized for laughing about the Rowe-Sarkisian clip.
Here's what Manning said in his viral comments and why it's caused controversy.
MORE: College football picks, predictions for Week 3
Arch Manning comments on AI Holly Rowe-Steve Sarkisian video
During Saturday's ESPN broadcast of Ohio State vs. Texas, Rowe's attempted interviews with Sarkisian were already going viral. At the end of the first half, when the coach was supposed to be answering questions from Rowe on the sideline, cameras instead showed Sarkisian jogging up the stairs to the locker room as ESPN’s Laura Rutledge explained he had just left the field.
Rutledge later acknowledged that Sarkisian had waited for the interview, but eventually decided to leave after it took too long.
“I do want to make sure we clear something up: (Sarkisian) did decline the interview at the half,” Rutledge said. “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.”
After Texas pulled off a massive fourth-quarter comeback, Rowe found Sarkisian on the field, beginning to ask him a question for ESPN cameras, as the national broadcasts typically do postgame.
However, Rowe attempted the interview with a question before Sarkisian interrupted her, yelling, “Let’s go, Texas fight! Let’s go, Texas fight!” into the microphone before adding “Hook ‘Em!” and walking away.
— no context college football (@nocontextcfb) September 13, 2026With those interview clips going viral, on Monday, Manning was asked whether he had seen any social posts from the postgame celebration of Texas' win.
He replied that he had seen an AI-created clip of Sarkisian slapping Rowe.
“I’ve seen a few AI edits, that’s about it. I saw an AI edit of Sark’s interview,” Manning said. “Y’all seen that one? That’s a good one. Of him slapping Holly Rowe. It’s hilarious.”
“I saw the AI Edit of (Sark) slapping Holly Rowe.”
I asked Arch Manning if he’d seen any edits on TikTok or Twitter after the game, and his answer is gold. pic.twitter.com/70FnNCVEHb
Backlash to Manning, Texas reporters over AI video comments
After Manning's comments, the Texas quarterback and reporters who laughed along with him in the clip received backlash, with Vieth's posted clip from the press conference now over 19 million views in under 24 hours.
Between fellow reporters, women in sports and others supporting Rowe, many criticized Manning and the Longhorns reporters for how they responded to the situation.
"You think strides are being made for women in sports (specifically men’s sports) and then you come across some bulls--- like this," NBC Sports broadcaster Kim Adams wrote. "Less on Manning - who has a lot to learn as a 22-year-old. More on the room’s reaction and the reporter calling the answer 'gold."
You think strides are being made for women in sports (specifically men’s sports) and then you come across some bullsh*t like this.
Less on Manning - who has a lot to learn as a 22 year old.
More on the room’s reaction and the reporter calling the answer “gold.” https://t.co/pefaVH2WCk
"The laughter from all the men in the room … so, so gross," NBC Sports college football insider Nicole Auerbach wrote.
the laughter from all the men in the room … so, so gross. https://t.co/A0qWuws1Pq
— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) September 15, 2026Here's a collection of other responses from those pushing back on Manning and the Texas reporters on Monday:
Women in sports will never know peace https://t.co/DftWEZ5ev4
— Brianna Turner (@_Breezy_Briii) September 15, 2026A revealing & disgusting moment at Texas: Arch Manning, 22, unable to control his laughter while talking about the AI edit of his coach “slapping Holly Rowe.” And all the laughter in the room accompanying & encouraging him. Will be interesting to hear the explanations/apologies. https://t.co/w6iGeeIfIk
— Christine Brennan (@cbrennansports) September 15, 2026And this is funny how…?
Shameful on the part of Arch Manning and every single media member who laughed. https://t.co/tDCMBZB90h
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. https://t.co/jlG2Ab8Lkh
— StaceyDales (@StaceyDales) September 15, 2026
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