Arch Manning Under Fire for Laughing About AI Edit of His Texas Coach ‘Slapping’ Holly Rowe

Natasha DyeTue, September 15, 2026 at 4:40 PM UTC

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Arch Manning on Sept. 5, 2026 in Austin, TXCredit: David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty -

Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning is getting criticized for joking about an AI video depicting ESPN reporter Holly Rowe being slapped by his head coach

Manning asked reporters if they saw the AI video of Rowe being slapped and called it “hilarious”

Fans and members of the media expressed disappointment in Manning for joking about violence against women

Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning is under fire after he called an AI video of ESPN reporter Holly Rowe getting slapped by his head coach Steve Sarkisian “hilarious.”

The controversy began on Saturday, Sept. 12 when the Longhorns coach bailed on a postgame interview with Rowe following Texas’ comeback win over Ohio State. The internet quickly reacted to the slight from Sarkisian and a number of AI-generated videos circulated, depicting alternate turnouts to Rowe’s interaction with the head coach.

On Monday, Manning, 22, was asked about the moment and said he’s seen AI edits of the moment, calling them “hilarious” and pointing out one of Rowe being slapped by Sarkisian.

“I’ve seen a few AI edits of stuff. I saw an AI edit of Sark, y’all seen that one?,” Manning asked reporters at the podium.

“That’s a good one, of him slapping Holly Rowe. It’s hilarious,” said the quarterback.

Arch Manning on Jan. 10, 2025Credit: CFP/Getty

Fans didn’t appreciate Manning’s sense of humor. “I’ll get flack for not being able to take a joke, but it makes me sad that we live in a society where a man slapping a woman is funny,” wrote one user.

“This isn’t funny at all,” said another.

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USA Today sports columnist Christine Brennan reacted as well, writing, “A 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.”

Veteran Fox Sports sideline reporter Laura Okmin didn’t appreciate Manning’s comment either. “If you say things like this into a microphone and laugh enthusiastically in a room full of cameras, I often imagine (and assume) the things that are said in private. Disappointed and infuriated… but never surprised anymore,” Okmin wrote on X.

Yahoo Sports’ Dan Wolken said, “Yeah I just saw the video in question. Not funny at all. Giving Arch the benefit of the doubt for being young but one day he will look back and want a do-over on that one.”

And NBC Sports’ Nicole Auerbach called out the reporters who all laughed along with Manning, writing, “the laughter from all the men in the room … so, so gross,” on X.

PEOPLE has reached out to a representative for the Texas Longhorns for comment.

Manning is in his third full season for the Longhorns after redshirting his freshman year. The grandson of famed Saints quarterback Archie Manning and nephew of Super Bowl champions Peyton and Eli Manning is expected to be the top draft pick in the 2027 NFL Draft.

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Source: “AOL Sports”