Texas quarterback Arch Manning is still dealing with the fallout from a press conference moment that set off a wave of criticism, and ESPN’s Shae Cornette added fresh fuel to the conversation on First Take.
The issue started when Manning was asked about viral clips online and admitted he had watched a fake, AI-generated video showing his coach striking Holly Rowe. Manning laughed at the edited clip and called the image of Steve Sarkisian “slapping Holly Rowe” genuinely “hilarious.” That reaction drew sharp pushback from sports journalists and fans, who said he was making light of violence directed at a female reporter.
On First Take, Cornette treated the moment as a lesson for the Texas star. She said she hoped the backlash would serve as a “strong learning lesson” and made it clear she thought the joke crossed a line. “You don’t need to be laughing about a video that promotes violence, especially towards women,” she said.
Manning later issued a public apology to Holly Rowe through his Instagram story. In that message, he said he made an “insensitive comment about an AI video.”
He also wrote, “There is nothing funny about it.” Manning added that his remarks were “hurtful to a lot of people.”
The apology did not stop the debate, and Cornette’s comments triggered a fresh round of reactions online. Some fans defended Manning and argued the criticism had gone too far.
“Was it an incredibly dumb thing to laugh at. Yes.
Is this being blown way out of proportion? Also, yes,” one fan said.
Others were even more dismissive of the backlash. “Oh, STFU!
It was fake and a giggle. Peyton Manning was seen in commercials knocking out kids with a football, and we all laughed.
People are getting weak!” a second fan wrote.
Another user took aim at Cornette directly, saying, “I doubt anyone asked for or wants Shae Cornette’s opinion on the subject. This show should be called Worst Take,” while a fourth added, “The only thing awful about this is the amount of coverage you’re giving it.”
For now, Manning is trying to move on and get back to football. Texas is set to host UTSA in its next regular-season game, and Manning has opened the 2026 college football season by completing 37 of 55 passes for 500 yards with five touchdowns and two interceptions.
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