To be clear, I don’t think an AI edit of Texas coach Steve Sarkisian slapping ESPN sideline reporter Holly Rowe is funny. I do, however, think vaunted quarterback prospect Arch Manning touting the video in a press conference to be extremely funny. It’s hilarious because it’s such a needless, unforced lurch into controversy for a carefully managed young man of the highest sports pedigree. The media wasn’t demanding he go there. Manning brought up seeing “an AI edit of Sark’s” interview, then asked the attending media, “Y’all seen that one?” He pointed at the laughing reporters, appraising, “That’s a good one.” And, just in case those watching were unaware, Manning added, “Of him slapping Holly Rowe?” And then, again, just in case anyone might be unclear about what, specifically, Arch Manning was enjoying, he elaborated further, “Yeah. That’s hilarious.”
It’s like watching a non suspect voluntarily admit to a crime, not knowing it’s a crime, and then just gleefully pile on with more inculpatory details. Of course, enjoying this video isn’t an actual crime, but instead the kind of taboo indulgence a franchise face is supposed to keep to himself. The reaction has, predictably, been Callaway-ad reminiscent-outrage. The most famous player in college football enjoys seeing a female reporter humiliated in violent depictions? Just what the hell is happening here and why can’t current official media do much about it?