Holly Rowe breaks silence after Arch Manning’s “hilarious” comment as Cindy Brunson reveals why she defended ESPN reporter | International Sports News
ESPN reporter Holly Rowe has responded after former ESPN colleague Cindy Brunson criticized Arch Manning and others for laughing at an AI video showing Texas coach Steve Sarkisian hitting Rowe. Manning called the fake clip “hilarious” after Texas’ 24-23 comeback win over Ohio State. Brunson defended Rowe and questioned why the people who laughed at the video were not facing more criticism. Rowe later thanked Brunson publicly for standing up for her.
Holly Rowe responds after Cindy Brunson defends her
Rowe kept her response short but clear. After Brunson shared a post defending her, Rowe replied, “Thank you, Cindy,”. Brunson had explained why she felt strongly about the situation, pointing to the support Rowe had given her when she was building her career as a sideline reporter.Brunson, who spent more than a decade at ESPN after joining the network in 1999, wrote that Rowe had helped her learn the job and later helped other women who wanted to work in sports television. She also highlighted the fact that Rowe was dealing with cancer when she offered that support.“While she may not wear a police officer’s uniform or a nurse’s hat, Holly is a helper,” Brunson wrote. She added that people should not make Rowe the joke while ignoring the reporters who were laughing along with Manning in the room.Rowe has been part of ESPN’s coverage for decades and has worked across college football, basketball, softball and the WNBA. Her long career has also earned major recognition, including the 2023 Curt Gowdy Electronic Media Award from the Basketball Hall of Fame.
Arch Manning and Steve Sarkisian’s Holly Rowe moment takes another turn
The controversy began after Texas beat No. 1 Ohio State 24-23 on September 12. The Longhorns had fallen behind 23-3 before completing the comeback, with Manning helping lead the offense during the rally.After the game, Rowe tried to interview Sarkisian on the field. Instead of answering, he shouted, “Texas fight! Hook ’em!” and walked away to celebrate with his team. Rowe looked frustrated by the exchange.There was more context, however. ESPN’s Laura Rutledge explained that technical problems had already affected a halftime interview with Sarkisian. She said the coach had waited patiently and that ESPN owed him an apology. A Texas spokesperson later said technical problems happened again during the postgame interview.The AI video later changed the conversation. It falsely showed Sarkisian hitting Rowe. When Manning was asked about AI edits, he brought up that clip himself and said, “Of him slapping Holly Rowe? It’s hilarious.” His comments quickly drew criticism because the video showed violence against a woman, even though the scene was completely fake.For Rowe, the latest part of the story was not about the Texas win or Sarkisian’s interview. It was about Brunson choosing to defend her, and her simple response showed that the support meant something to her.
