Texas’s Arch Manning apologizes for laughing at AI video of coach slapping female reporter

Texas quarterback Arch Manning issued an apology Tuesday after he laughed during a press conference this week about an AI-generated video depicting his coach, Steve Sarkisian slapping ESPN reporter Holly Rowe.

Referencing the press conference on Monday, Manning said he made an “insensitive comment about an AI video.”

“There is nothing funny about it,” he said. “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.”

Manning, a day earlier, had been asked if he had seen viral social media content surrounding the Longhorns win over Ohio State, specifically a decision by Sarkisian to blow off a postgame interview with Rowe, one of ESPN’s top reporters.

“Did you see that one,” Manning asked reporters in the room while laughing. “Of him slapping Holly Rowe.”

The video in question was an AI-generated clip that showed the Texas coach slapping Rowe and yelling “Hook Em!” before running off.

“I specifically want to apologize to [Rowe] because of what she has had to deal with because of my comments. I have a ton of respect for her and appreciate her showing me grace in this moment,” he continued. “I need to do better and will be more thoughtful going forward.”

Manning is the nephew of Hall of Fame NFL quarterback’s Eli and Peyton Manning and the grandson of legendary signal caller Archie Manning.

He is considered one of the best quarterbacks in the country and is on the short list of Heisman candidates this season, likely to be taken highly in next spring’s NFL draft.

With their fourth quarter comeback win over Ohio State on Saturday, The Longhorns jumped to the No. 1 spot in the AP Top 25 poll.