Overview
- After Texas’ comeback win over Ohio State on Saturday, coach Steve Sarkisian briefly cut off a live interview with ESPN sideline reporter Holly Rowe by shouting “Texas fight” and walking away, a moment that was widely shown on broadcast video.
- That real postgame exchange was altered by AI and posted on TikTok and X as fake clips showing Sarkisian striking Rowe, and those edits spread rapidly across social platforms.
- During a Monday media availability, quarterback Arch Manning referenced one of the AI edits, laughed and called it “hilarious,” a remark that drew immediate criticism for joking about a clip that depicted violence against a woman.
- On Tuesday, Manning issued a public apology to Holly Rowe and said he was sorry for the insensitive comment, Rowe replied that she and Manning spoke privately and she accepted the apology, and On3 reporter Evan Vieth also retracted his caption and apologized.
- Reporters including ESPN’s Laura Rutledge noted technical broadcast problems that contributed to awkward halftime and postgame exchanges, and the episode has intensified concerns about deepfakes, treatment of sideline reporters, and reputational risk for high‑profile athletes and media members.