FOX News host under fire over reaction to Arch Manning apology after 'innocent' Holly Rowe comment
FOX News host under fire over reaction to Arch Manning apology after 'innocent' Holly Rowe comment
Rory Robinson Wed, September 16, 2026 at 3:19 AM UTC
0
FOX News host Laura Ingraham has had her say on the Arch Manning-Holly Rowe controversy -Credit:Anna Moneymaker, Getty Images
Arch Manning's public apology to Holly Rowe had barely made headlines before a FOX News host inexplicably turned her sights on Rowe as the wrongdoer.
Laura Ingraham took to social media to blast the ESPN reporter after Manning posted his lengthy apology for joking about an AI video of Texas football coach Steve Sarkisian slapping Rowe. The host of The Ingraham Angle argued that the controversy had spiraled far beyond its seemingly harmless origins, placing the blame squarely on Rowe for escalating the situation and effectively cornering Manning into issuing an apology.
The original press conference joke had already sparked fierce online criticism from college football fans, media personalities, and former ESPN reporters who publicly came to Rowe's defense. It comes after Terry Bradshaw snapped at a FOX NFL Sunday co-star who corrected him live on air.
• Lip reader debunks viral Taylor Swift and ESPN theory after comments made in suite
• Furious Travis Kelce slaps fan away trying to steal item of his Chiefs uniform
Once Manning issued his public apology and Rowe accepted it openly, the narrative quickly shifted from the slap itself to whether an apology was ever warranted in the first place.
"Embarrassing," Ingraham wrote. "For a veteran sideline reporter to extract an apology from a young player for an innocent offhand comment about an AI video is absurd."
Ingraham initially described Rowe as an "adult" reporter before quietly editing her post to replace the word with "veteran."
The revision did little to quell the backlash, particularly given that Rowe had never publicly demanded any form of apology.
Advertisement
Manning apologized after making fun of an AI video showing Rowe being slapped by Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian
One commenter questioned, "He apologized first, she accepted it. Did she demand an apology? What am I missing? How did she 'Extract' an apology?"
Another wrote, "Extract?? Seems like he made an honest mistake and corrected it."
Even a conservative who shares similar views with Ingraham pushed back, "I'm as conservative as they come, and your comment is so far off base. This young kid, as you call him, is going to the NFL next year."
Another fan added, "What he did and said would be inappropriate for a high schooler. Not sure how you justify it. I certainly hope you're not a parent."
• NFL fans furious at NBC change to Carrie Underwood song as singer releases statement
• Joe Buck forced to address ESPN issue viewers raged about on Monday Night Football
College football supporters were quick to remind Ingraham that the young Manning family member is hardly your typical 22-year-old.
The Texas quarterback has secured lucrative NIL agreements with Google, Topps Trading Cards, Red Bull, and other brands worth millions.
The Longhorns signal-caller now leads the now No. 1-ranked team in the country after dethroning Ohio State and has been in the spotlight since he picked up a football in grade school, largely due to his surname and connection to NFL gunslingers Archie, Peyton, and Eli Manning.
It comes after ESPN was urged to immediately remove Pat McAfee just minutes into his Monday Night Countdown debut.
Source: “AOL Sports”
