Paul Finebaum defends Arch Manning, blasts Texas media for Holly Rowe AI video question
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Following a thrilling college football win for Texas over Ohio State, Arch Manning and his Longhorn teammates were ecstatic. Their head coach was also high on emotion, to the point that he blew off ESPN’s Holly Rowe. The moment prompted a lot of reaction and eventually pulled Manning into the controversy.
After being asked about an AI video depicting coach Steve Sarkisian striking Rowe, Manning laughed and confirmed that he had seen it. That sparked even more backlash toward Texas. Manning later apologized to Rowe and appeared to take a much more conservative approach during subsequent media sessions.
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The situation has resulted in plenty of conversation and criticism surrounding Manning. However, ESPN college football analyst Paul Finebaum came to the quarterback’s defense and blasted the media members who put him in that position.
“Arch made fools out of everybody in that room because they helped make him look like a fool last week with the Holly Rowe situation. They all laughed and he took all of the heat. … Don’t criticize the subject if you ask stupid and bogus questions, which I heard on most of those. … If you ask Arch Manning a pertinent question, maybe he will answer them. If you don’t sit there like a bunch of fanboys drooling over his sweat, maybe he’ll give something back in return.” Finebaum said.
Lesson learned
Ultimately, this was a tough lesson for Manning to learn, regardless of how he was put in that position. In a world where every word, action and gesture can come under the microscope, Manning’s honest answer became fair game.
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Was it really a necessary question? Absolutely not. It involved an AI video that never should have been created, and the question should have been shut down.
However, Manning answered it, and what transpired was something he was bound to learn from one way or another.
Though he is part of football royalty as a member of the Manning family, no one is immune to these types of media moments. Even his uncle Peyton had a few interesting mic’d-up moments during his NFL career.
The page will soon be turned, as Manning and Texas travel to Tennessee for an afternoon SEC showdown. If the top-ranked Longhorns can earn a significant win against a College Football Playoff contender, they’ll prove they are legitimate threats this season.
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