Texas Longhorns star Arch Manning apologizes for laughing at AI meme after cancel mob activates

Texas Longhorns college football star Arch Manning has apologized after he laughed and commented on an AI video that depicted coach Steve Sarkisian slapping reporter Holly Rowe in a post-game interview. He had said that his comments were "insensitive."

“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 it."

“I specifically want to apologize to Holly Rowe for what she has personally had to deal with because of my comments. 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," Manning added.

He made the apology after backlash against his comments, with some claiming that because he found the video funny, he was advocating for violence against women. 

During the press conference, when he was asked about any AI edits that he has seen of the coach with Rowe, he responded, "I’ve seen a few AI edits, that’s about it. I saw an AI edit of Sark’s interview. Y’all seen that one? That’s a good one. Of him slapping Holly Rowe. It’s hilarious.”

In the original interview clip, Sarkisian said, "Let's go Texas fight! Hook 'em," when Rowe tried to ask him a question, and he quickly walked away. In the AI edit, Sarkisian yelled, "Hook 'em!" and then slapped Rowe across the face.

There have been other AI videos made of the interaction, including Rowe and Sarkisian kissing as well as one where Rowe is slapping Sarkisian in the face and then riding off on a horse.