If you thought the state of American sports media could not become anymore of a joke than it already is, think again.
Media Backlash Over Arch Manning Laughter
The controversy erupted after Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian shouted “Texas fight” and flashed the “Hook ’em Horns” gesture during a post‑game press conference, prompting ESPN reporter Holly Rowe to storm off in frustration. The exchange captured video that quickly went viral.
When asked about the incident on Monday, quarterback Arch Manning said he had seen a few AI‑generated edits, including a clip that depicted Sarkisian slapping Rowe and fleeing like a maniac. The fabricated video turned a routine moment into a ridiculous spectacle.
The laughter that followed was genuine, because the video was clearly fake and meant to mock an innocuous celebration. Yet the media’s reaction was anything but amused.
The Athletic columnist Katy Duffy unleashed a profanity‑laden tirade, calling for “f‑ck Arch Manning” and mocking the questioner, while USA Today’s Christine Brennan labeled the laughter “revealing and disgusting.” NBC reporter Nicole Auerbach added that the “so‑so gross” laughter was “so, so gross.”
The outcry stands in stark contrast to real incidents of violence against women, such as alleged domestic abuse cases involving athletes, which have received far less performative outrage. No comparable media frenzy has surrounded actual harm to female athletes or WNBA players.
Manning’s only misstep was apologizing, a move that only fuels the mob’s appetite for condemnation. The rules of the fake outrage machine demand that no apology be offered.
Shawn Fleetwood, a staff writer for The Federalist and 2025 Dao Prize winner, reports on sports and culture. His work also appears in RealClearPolitics and RealClearHealth.
