Holly Rowe deepfake video — Nov 2024

University of Texas quarterback Arch Manning issued a public apology following his reaction to a viral AI-generated video that depicted his head coach, Steve Sarkisian, striking ESPN reporter Holly Rowe. The incident occurred during a media availability session on November 25, 2024, shortly after the team secured a victory against Ohio State.

What happened

The controversy began when Arch Manning commented on a piece of AI-generated media circulating online. The video, which emerged following a real postgame interview where Sarkisian abruptly ended the segment to celebrate with his team, featured a synthetic edit showing the coach striking Holly Rowe in the face. During the press conference, Manning referred to the clip as "hilarious" and "a good one" before realizing his error while looking at the Sports Information Director.

The comments sparked immediate backlash on social media from users who found the depiction of violence against a woman deeply inappropriate, regardless of its synthetic nature. In response to the criticism, Manning acknowledged the insensitivity of his remarks and stated, "There is nothing funny about it. It's easy to say I didn't mean it, but I know my words and actions were hurtful to a lot of people."

Manning personally apologized to Holly Rowe, who accepted the apology and confirmed the two had a private conversation regarding the matter. Manning, who is projected as a future NFL first-round draft pick, pledged to be more thoughtful in his future interactions and public statements.