Arch Manning apologizes after AI video reaction. Texas should have acted sooner | Golden

By now, you have heard about Arch Manning‘s response to an AI-edited video of his head coach Steve Sarkisian slapping ESPN’s Holly Rowe.

It didn’t really happen, but the backlash was beyond real.

This is a multi-layered story that underscores the world we live in, one where anonymous people can post inappropriate content from the comfort of their own homes and remain safe from real scrutiny. 

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“In my press conference yesterday, I made an insensitive comment about an AI video,” Manning posted Tuesday on Instagram. “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 about that.”

He then apologized to Rowe, one of longest-tenured sideline reporters in the business.

“I have a ton of respect for her and appreciate her showing me grace in this moment,” Manning posted. “I need to do better and be more thoughtful going forward.”

Rowe accepted his apology and posted that their conversation would remain private.

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“We will move forward with respect and kindness for one another,” she posted.

It was the mature thing to do. Arch owning up to his comment shows growth and maturity. But much of this attention could have been avoided with quicker action from Texas athletics officials, including Sarkisian, whose blowing off of a post-game interview on the field got this unfortunate ball rolling.

The fallout was coming for Arch Manning, Texas

Now let’s get to the facts.

Sarkisian never laid a hand on Rowe.

Neither did Manning.

But social media doesn’t care.

The reaction to something that didn’t happen took on a life of its own, and one of ESPN’s most recognizable faces and the most-discussed college  quarterback in America became unwitting participants in a sordid story. I don’t know Arch outside of my dealings with him during interviews over the last three years, but I would bet my life savings the young man doesn’t condone violence against women. I certainly do not, having witnessed it during my childhood (though not in my own household). 

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The same goes for his head coach. That said, Manning and a young journalist learned valuable lessons this week after a Monday exchange led to an already viral story going nuclear on laptops and iPhones worldwide.

It started Saturday night in the moments after Texas’ upset win over No. 1 Ohio State. As Rowe attempted to ask him a question after the game as is custom with TV broadcasts, Sarkisian yelled, “Texas Fight! Hook’em!” and went to celebrate with his players. Rowe, visibly unhappy, walked the other direction. Later, details surfaced about ESPN having technical difficulties at the half, which led to Sarkisian having to wait for his halftime interview. He declined to wait any longer, understandably prioritizing his team, which was trailing 20-3. ESPN apologized to him for the delay.

Then Monday came and Inside Texas reporter Evan Vieth asked Manning if he had watched any of the TikTok-edited videos of the postgame scene at DKR. Manning, who said he avoids social media as much as possible, replied, “I’ve seen a few AI edits. I saw an AI edit of Sark’s interview. Have y’all seen that one? That’s a good one. Of him slapping Holly Rowe? Yeah, it’s hilarious.”

Vieth tweeted out the video and described Manning’s response as “gold.”

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I had no idea about the video in question until Manning responded, which drew laughs from the media. Frankly, it was a rare moment when Manning actually let his hair down and showed some personality. He usually keeps his answers short and to the point with us, but coming off the heels of the biggest win of his career, he was feeling good and the mood was light.

Does it excuse him trivializing a violent act, albeit an artificially created one? 

Absolutely not.

Surely he regrets what he said, but there is no Command+Z in real life. You can’t undo what you just said in a room full of recorders and video cameras. He did own up to what he said on Tuesday, which was the right move. Vieth, an up-and-coming reporter similar in age to Manning, certainly regrets his role in it at all as evidenced by his apology Tuesday.

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“Captioning Manning’s response with “gold” trivialized an AI video depicting violence against a colleague, and that is a mistake I deeply regret,” he posted. “As a young journalist just getting started in this industry, I deeply admire the hard work, time, and dedication Holly Rowe has put in to become one of the best reporters working today.  I never meant to disrespect her work, vilify Manning, or spread hatred toward anyone, but intent isn’t the same as impact, and I own that. I sincerely apologize for how I chose to present the tweet, and I’ll be more careful going forward, especially when it comes to AI-generated content and how quickly I hit send.”

What happens moving forward (for everyone)

Manning and Vieth are young adults finding their way in their chosen profession. Mistakes happened on both sides, but accountability also took place, which should give us hope for the future. There will always be a loser sitting in Mom’s basement cooking up something inappropriate for clicks and giggles. It’s the world we live in. It’s up to us how we respond to negative stimuli.

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Now ask yourself this question.

Had Steve Sarkisian actually attacked Rowe with cameras rolling and Manning was asked about it, would he have smiled and said, “It’s hilarious.”

Absolutely not.

Would Vieth have called it gold?

Definitely not. I know Evan and he isn’t built that way.

Manning was laughing at the absurdity of it all, not the act itself, and while I’m not excusing his response – he’s responsible for what he says – it all has to be taken in the right context.

The athletic department/university should have gotten out in front of this in the minutes after Manning’s comment. This kind of story eventually goes away, but even with a short shelf life, it can be damaging. Manning’s apology, which came more than 24 hours later, was long overdue. 

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As for Holly, she didn’t deserve this. She’s one of the best at what she does and has been the hardest worker in that shop for more than two decades. We’ve collaborated – me on her radio show and she on my “On Second Thought” podcast – and it’s always great to see her. She’s warm and personable and treats the people she covers with respect and dignity. The technical issues that led to Sarkisian basically blowing off the postgame interview are part of the job. She gets that. The stupid memes, videos and especially the personal attacks are unwarranted and downright cruel at a time of her life when she’s dealing with the death of her mother. 

Of course, none of this happens if Sarkisian had simply taken 30 seconds and answered a question or two from Rowe. It’s called professional courtesy and he was sorely lacking in that area in the moments after a statement win for his team, technical issues be damned.

It should be noted that Sarkisian sat in front of reporters for 36 minutes Monday and not one asked him about the Rowe incident or any TikTok videos. The Houston Chronicle’s Kirk Bohls mentioned it to him as he and senior associate athletic director for communications John Bianco were walking out, but neither expounded on it. 

The interviews were over.

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This is real life. Social media is like a pile of dry wood and brush just waiting on a careless individual to flick a lit cigarette out of the driver’s window. AI lit that match and an Internet forest fire spread through the sports world.

Manning learned a hard lesson. He will think twice before he says something about a hot topic that’s spreading like wildfire for all the wrong reasons. 

Vieth will think twice before he hits the “Send” button.

And maybe we will all think twice before giving oxygen to a nobody who creates something stupid and hurtful for kicks.

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This article originally published at Arch Manning apologizes after AI video reaction. Texas should have acted sooner | Golden.

Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: Sports.yahoo.com