ESPN Reporter Holly Rowe to Cover Texas Game Amid Controversy
Just two weeks after a public incident with Texas coach Steve Sarkisian and subsequent AI video controversy involving Arch Manning, veteran sideline reporter Holly Rowe has been assigned to cover another Texas game.
ESPN sideline reporter Holly Rowe is scheduled to cover the University of Tennessee hosting the University of Texas game on Saturday Night Football. This assignment comes two weeks after Rowe was involved in a public incident with Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian and a subsequent controversy involving Texas quarterback Arch Manning.
During a post-game interview following Texas' upset victory over No. 1 Ohio State, Sarkisian shouted into the microphone, "That's called Texas fight! That's called Texas fight! Hook 'em!," before leaving the interview to celebrate with his team. Rowe was left visibly frustrated by the coach's abrupt departure.
The incident quickly gained traction online and led to the creation of several AI-generated videos, including one depicting Sarkisian assaulting Rowe. Arch Manning, nephew of former NFL quarterbacks Peyton and Eli Manning, faced criticism for laughing at one of these AI videos and describing it as "hilarious" during a press conference.
Manning later issued a public apology on his Instagram story, stating, "In my press conference yesterday, I made an insensitive comment about an AI video. There is nothing funny about it." He specifically apologized to Holly Rowe, acknowledging his words were hurtful and expressing respect for her.
Rowe accepted Manning's apology via her own Instagram story, stating, "Thank you Arch. I appreciate our conversation about this - which will remain private. Apology accepted. We move forward with respect and kindness for one another."
Amidst these events, Rowe also announced on her X account that her mother had recently passed away and was buried. She shared a message expressing gratitude for her family and honoring her mother's memory.