ESPN host Shae Cornette addressed Arch Manning’s controversial remarks about an AI-generated video showing Texas coach Steve Sarkisian allegedly slapping ESPN reporter Holly Rowe during a press conference, which drew widespread criticism. Cornette urged the young quarterback, who is the nephew of NFL stars Peyton and Eli Manning, to take this as a serious learning opportunity, noting that his response was seen as insensitive and immature given his position at Texas University. While acknowledging Manning’s apology to Rowe via text message, Cornette suggested that a public vocal apology would have been preferable.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-17,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Why this leaning score
The model judged this article politically coded and scored it +0.35, but all 2 of its quote(s) are attributed speech - words the article quotes from someone, not the article's own narration, so the score is not published.
Written under an earlier scoring contract, which gave a paragraph
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Leaning score withheld for article 15146: attributed speech only · logged 2026-09-17
In a week of controversy for Texas quarterback Arch Manning, one ESPN host implores he learn from his mistake and be better going forward.
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he → implore → mistake
Manning came under fire when he smiled and laughed during a press conference earlier this week as he talked about watching an AI-generated video that showed Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian slapping ESPN reporter Holly Rowe.
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Sarkisian → come → Rowe
On Wednesday’s edition of “First Take,” host Shae Cornette wanted to circle back to Manning’s initial attitude toward the AI video in which Rowe was hit.
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Rowe → want → which
“When I first had heard Arch’s comments and watched that press conference, my initial reaction was, ‘My goodness, how insensitive, how immature,'” Cornette said.
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Cornette → hear → conference
“And kind of, quite frankly, like, how dare he say that, especially about Holly and the way he was laughing about it.
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he → say → it
“As the day progressed, I thought to myself, ‘OK, when you have this last name and you play at this university, and you wear that on your sleeve every day, you have to know better.’
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you → progress → sleeve
And maybe that’s unfair given his age and his immaturity level still, and what he’s going through at his age.
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he → ’ → age
But that is just the reality of the situation that comes with it.”
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that → come → it
Cornette said the nephew of Peyton and Eli Manning should not have been laughing at the video depicting violence.
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nephew → say → violence
“He’s apologized.
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He → apologize → ?
He had a conversation with Holly Rowe, which I love,” Cornette said.
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Cornette → have → which
“Now, I do wish his apology was vocal, was on video as opposed to in text.
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apology → wish → text
But nonetheless, now we move forward.
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we → move → ?
But what I do hope is, obviously, this was a very strong learning lesson for him.
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this → hope → him
You don’t necessarily need to be laughing about a video that promotes violence, especially towards women.
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that → need → women
And so Arch hopefully will do better.”
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Arch → do → ?
Sarkisian and Rowe made headlines after the Longhorns’ dramatic comeback win over Ohio State on Saturday when the coach essentially blew off a postgame interview when he shouted, “That’s called Texas fight!
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That → make → interview
That’s called Texas fight!
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That → call → ?
He then walked away toward his celebrating team as a clearly frustrated Rowe went off camera.
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Rowe → walk → camera
On Monday, Manning talked about the incident and AI-edited video with the assembled media in Austin.
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Manning → talk → Austin
“I’ve seen a few AI edits and stuff, but that’s about it.
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that → see → it
I saw AI edits of Sark’s interview,” Manning said, which elicited laughter in the room.
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which → see → room
“Have y’all seen that one?
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y’ → see → one
That’s a good one,” Manning added with a smile and laugh.
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Manning → ’ → smile
“Of him slapping Holly Rowe?
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him → slap → Rowe
That’s hilarious.”
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That → ’ → ?
Manning swiftly met backlash across the sports world and social media, prompting him to apologize Tuesday.
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Manning → meet → him
Manning also apologized directly to Rowe, who accepted.
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who → apologize → Rowe
“In my press conference yesterday, I made an insensitive comment about an Al video,” Manning wrote Tuesday in an Instagram Story.
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Manning → make → Story
It’s easy to say I didn’t mean it, but I know my words and actions were hurtful to a lot of people.
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words → ’ → people
I do not take that lightly and am deeply sorry for that.
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I → take → that
“I specifically want to apologize to Holly Rowe for what she has personally had to deal with because of my comments.
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she → want → comments
I have a ton of respect for her and appreciate her showing me grace in this moment.
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her → have → moment
I need to do better and will be more thoughtful going forward.”
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I → need → ?
Rowe said she appreciated Manning’s apology and that she will keep the contents of their conversation private.
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she → say → conversation
“We move forward with respect and kindness for one another,” the veteran reporter wrote on her social media Tuesday.
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reporter → move → media
Texas, now the No. 1 team in the nation, will next host UTSA on Saturday night.
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Texas → host → night
The Aporia
