Arch Manning Apologizes Over AI Video of a Slap

The youngest Manning quarterback is making a public apology. Texas QB Arch Manning, nephew of Peyton and Eli, offered the mea culpa Tuesday after he laughed in a press conference about an AI-altered clip that depicted coach Steve Sarkisian slapping ESPN sideline reporter Holly Rowe:

• "In my press conference yesterday, I made an insensitive comment about an AI video," he wrote online, reports USA Today. "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. I do not take that lightly and am deeply sorry for that."

Rowe, for her part, isn't holding a grudge. "Apology accepted," she said. "We move forward with respect and kindness for one another." Manning's comments came while discussing social media edits of Texas' comeback win over top-ranked Ohio State, a game in which he threw for 195 yards in a 24-23 victory. "I saw an AI edit of Sark's interview," he said. "That's a good one—of him slapping Holly Rowe. That's hilarious." In the authentic interview clip, the coach abruptly walks away from the reporter as she was asking a question after the game, per the Athletic.