If you've scrolled through social media in the last 24 hours, you might have seen a video of ESPN sideline reporter Holly Rowe wearing a white tank top and jeans in what appears to be a pregame meeting. It's racked up nearly 1.8 million views. But here's the thing: it's not real.
The clip is a product of AI, a deepfake designed to look like Rowe. It's the latest in a string of viral moments involving the veteran reporter, who has had a week she'd probably rather forget.
A Tough Week for Holly Rowe
It all started last Saturday night in Austin, when Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian abruptly ended his postgame interview with Rowe after the Longhorns' dramatic comeback win over Ohio State. The awkward moment was caught on camera and quickly went viral, drawing sympathy for Rowe and criticism for Sarkisian.
Then came the AI-generated video of Sarkisian slapping Rowe, which Texas quarterback Arch Manning joked about during a press conference. Manning later apologized, writing on social media, "In my press conference yesterday, I made an insensitive comment about an AI video. There is nothing funny about it. It's easy to say I didn't mean it, but I know my words and actions were hurtful to a lot of people. I do not take that lightly and am deeply sorry for that."
Manning specifically addressed Rowe, saying, "I specifically want to apologize to Holly Rowe for what she has personally had to deal with because of my comments. I have a ton of respect for her and appreciate her showing me grace in this moment. I need to do better and will be more thoughtful going forward."
Rowe accepted the apology, posting on her Instagram Story, "Thank you Arch. I appreciate our conversation about this — which will remain private. Apology accepted. We move forward with respect and kindness for one another."
The Latest Viral Fake
Now, this new AI video of Rowe in a pregame outfit is making the rounds. It's unclear who created it or why, but it's another example of how easily AI can be used to create convincing fake content, especially targeting women in the public eye.
Rowe, like many other female sports journalists, has to deal with this kind of harassment and manipulation regularly. It's an unfortunate reality that those who spread these fake videos and stories should be held accountable. As awkward postgame interviews become more common, the line between reality and fiction blurs, and the consequences are real.
The ESPN sideline reporter is a pro's pro, handling this latest incident with the same grace she's shown all week. But the fact that she has to endure this at all is a stark reminder of the challenges women in sports media face daily.
We reached out to ESPN for comment but have not yet received a response. In the meantime, it's worth remembering: don't believe everything you see online. Arch Manning's apology was a step in the right direction, but the fight against AI-generated fakes is far from over.
