From OutKick · Ryan Gaydos · · 1m 30s
Arch Manning apologizes for laughing at AI slap video
A fake clip of his coach hitting a sideline reporter got a laugh at the podium, and Texas' quarterback spent the next day walking it back.
In brief
A fake clip of his coach hitting a sideline reporter got a laugh at the podium, and Texas' quarterback spent the next day walking it back. A two second reaction at a podium travels further than the play that earned you the podium. Originally reported by OutKick.
The laugh that started it
At Monday's press conference, Texas quarterback Arch Manning laughed while discussing an AI video of his coach. By Tuesday he was issuing a public apology.
What the fake clip showed
Someone altered Steve Sarkisian's awkward postgame interview with ESPN's Holly Rowe after Texas beat Ohio State, making it look like he yelled at her and slapped her.
Manning owns it
He posted the apology to his Instagram Stories, calling the comment insensitive and refusing the easy excuse that he did not mean it.
“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.”
Rowe accepts
Rowe said she and Manning spoke privately and the conversation stays that way. She accepted the apology publicly and quickly.
“Apology accepted. We move forward with respect and kindness for one another.”
The real interview was nothing
Sarkisian gave Rowe a quick "Texas fight, hook 'em" and ran off to celebrate. ESPN later said he had declined a halftime interview only after waiting out technical problems, and apologized to them for it.
“He apologized to us. We should be apologizing to him, which we did.”
Texas gets the top spot
The win over Ohio State moved the Longhorns to No. 1 in the AP poll. Last season they opened at No. 1, lost to the same Buckeyes, and fell to seventh.
The takeaway
A two second reaction at a podium travels further than the play that earned you the podium.
