Arch Manning Apologizes for ‘Insensitive Comment’ Following Backlash, Private Talk With ESPN Reporter Holly Rowe

It didn’t take long for Arch Manning to learn his lesson.

Following backlash over his laughter about an AI-generated video depicting his Texas coach, Steve Sarkisian, backhanding ESPN sideline reporter Holly Rowe in the face, the Longhorns quarterback, 22, issued a lengthy apology in an Instagram Story on Tuesday, September 15.

“In my press conference yesterday, I made an insensitive comment about an AI video. There is nothing funny about it,” he wrote. “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.”

“I specifically want to apologize to Holly Rowe for what she has personally had to deal with because of my comments,” he continued. “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.”

As First For Sports previously reported, Arch — who is the nephew of football greats Peyton Manning and Eli Manning — joked about the video when asked about Sarkisian’s rude brush-off of Rowe during what was supposed to be a post-game interview on Saturday, September 12.

“I saw an AI edit of Sark’s interview,” he said at a press conference on Monday (via Evan Vieth on X). “Have you all seen that one? That’s a good one. Of him slapping Holly Rowe?”

Some X users then slammed him for making light of a video depicting violence towards women, especially considering Arch hails from a football dynasty family, while others responded with more insulting videos depicting Rowe, 60.

The woman in question also spoke out on Tuesday, “Thank you Arch. I appreciate our conversation about this — which will remain private,” Rowe wrote on her own Instagram Story. “Apology accepted. We move forward with respect and kindness for one another.”