Arch Manning is about to receive a call from the Texas PR team.
During his Monday press conference, the Texas quarterback was asked if he had seen any of the viral social media edits circulating after the Longhorns’ exciting win over No. 1 Ohio State.
Manning acknowledged he had seen them, and when asked which was his favorite, he gave an answer that made the room burst into laughter.
“I saw the AI edit of Sark slapping Holly Rowe”
Mannings are about to put Arch through six more weeks of media training 💀 pic.twitter.com/jduwin581N
— Old Row Sports (@OldRowSports) September 14, 2026
The sophomore QB pointed to an AI-generated video showing Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian slapping ESPN reporter Holly Rowe.
The fake clip originated from an awkward moment after Texas’ victory over the Buckeyes, where Sarkisian seemed to brush past Rowe during the postgame celebration, causing some discomfort that quickly went viral.
You’re all welcome. Hookem. pic.twitter.com/7sRH9jQpIm
— Hookem 🤘 (@hookem) September 14, 2026
Naturally, Internet users took it further, creating a completely fabricated scenario involving the two through artificial intelligence.
Manning’s response indicates even Texas players have been keeping up with the memes about one of the weekend’s most bizarre viral moments.
While the joke caused laughter in the room, it’s probably not the answer Texas’ PR team wanted from its star quarterback.
While Manning was laughing at the absurdity of the clip, several high-profile media members called Arch and the media members in the room out for laughing at a video depicting a man assaulting a woman.
the laughter from all the men in the room … so, so gross. https://t.co/A0qWuws1Pq
— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) September 15, 2026
The Texas athletic department might see this as a chance to turn it into a “teachable moment” for their young QB.
Nevertheless, after defeating the No. 1 team in the nation, Manning is now the clear favorite in the Heisman Trophy race.
