Arch Manning, nephew of football legends Peyton and Eli Manning, has facing backlash after joking about an AI video of a female reporter getting slapped. The video in question shows the University of Texas football coach, Steve Sarkisian, slapping ESPN reporter Holly Rowe, and when asked about it in a press conference, he called the video “hilarious.” Keep reading for more information.
“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
— Evan Vieth (@EvanVieth) September 14, 2026
Arch Manning Jokes About AI Video Of Female Reporter Getting Slapped
On Monday, September 21, Inside Texas reporter Evan Vieth asked Manning during a press conference if he’d seen any social media videos about the Longhorns’ win over the Buckeyes the previous weekend.
“I’ve seen a few AI edits of stuff, but that’s about it,” he responded. “I saw an AI edit of Sark’s interview,” he continued, referring to head coach Steve Sarkisian. “Have you all seen that one? That’s a good one. Of him slapping Holly Rowe?”
Laughing along with the other members of the media in the room, Manning then added, “Yeah, it’s hilarious.”
The backlash was swift, and Manning was quick to issue an apology on social media. “In my press conference yesterday, I made an insensitive comment about an AI video. There is nothing funny about it,” Manning wrote in an Instagram Story. “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 that that lightly and am deeply sorry for that..”
— Holly Rowe (@sportsiren) September 15, 2026
“I specifically want to apologize to Holly Rowe for what she has personally had to deal with because of my comments,” he added. “I have a ton of respect for her and appreciate her showing me grace in this moment. I need to do better and will be more thoughtful going forward.”
Fortunately for the young footballer, Rowe publicly forgave him by reposting his story and adding her own message: “Thank you, Arch. I appreciate our conversation about this—which will remain private. Apology accepted. We move forward with respect and kindness for one another.”
Social Media Reactions
Despite Rowe’s acceptance of Arch’s apology, social media users were still appalled by his ease in joking about abuse. “It makes me sad that we live in a society where a man slapping a woman is funny,” one user wrote on X.
“Yeah, no, this isn’t funny,” said another. “It’s pretty s****y actually.”
“That manning personality is starting to come out,” a third person wrote.
“Slapping a woman isn’t funny – even when done by AI,” wrote the next. “I don’t care who you are. What a shame that Arch and the Media in the room think it’s funny.”
“The room full of 40+ year old men laughing with him is much more concerning than the college kid finding it funny,” pointed out another user.
“Oh ha ha ha, right kid?!?” posted another. “Would you like for someone to hit your mother like that? How about your sister?”
“This isn’t funny at all,” a final user wrote. “Actually an incredibly insensitive comment.”
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