For nearly 15 days, Arch Manning’s viral moment involving Holly Rowe dominated conversations across college football. The reaction was anything but unanimous, with fans split between criticizing his remarks and defending the young quarterback’s postgame excitement.
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But just when the saga seemed ready to fade into the background, a familiar voice from inside the Texas locker room has surfaced with something to say about Manning.
“He’s one of the most humble people I’ve ever been around. You know, having the magnitude, the connectivity that he has with people, and obviously with his last name, starting with his grandpa and his two uncles, being NFL legends, Hall of Fame, you know, a lot of weight comes with that, but he’s so humble,” said Longhorns Defensive lineman Hero Kanu in his conversation with Jim Rome.
“He behaves like a regular guy. He doesn’t care about the flashy things, he’s all about connectivity, but he has grown a lot. A lot more vocal from the first moment I met him, and he’s just stepping up in his role,” Kanu added.
The controversy traces back to the Ohio State Buckeyes’ heartbreaking 24-23 defeat to the Texas Longhorns. In the aftermath of the thriller, Holly Rowe attempted to interview Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian, but the excitement of the victory got the better of him. Caught up in the moment, Sarkisian simply shouted, “Hook ’Em!” before rushing away from the interview.
What followed, however, took an unexpected turn. An AI-generated video depicting Sarkisian slapping Rowe surfaced online, and when Arch Manning was asked about it during an interview, his laughter only added fuel to the fire. That moment marked the beginning of a controversy that quickly captured the attention of the college football world.
Just days later, Manning apologized for his mistake, with Holly Rowe accepting his apology. However, the controversy spiraled out of control, forcing the head coach to address the situation. He admitted that the noise surrounding the quarterback had become a distraction, particularly after Manning struggled against UTSA despite Texas securing a 30-6 victory.
“I think he’ll get back on. It was a long week for him too, understandably. A lot of distractions that way, and the stuff he had to deal with,” Sarkisian said after the game.
Throughout his collegiate career, Manning has been known as someone who listens to his predecessors without imposing his identity on others. Former Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers, under whom Manning spent two seasons, described him as a good-natured kid.
“He’s great. He’s a good kid,” Ewers said via On3. “He was definitely fun to have in the quarterback room. We’re good buddies.”
When his seniors were preparing to leave for the NFL Draft last year, Manning reached out to each of them, expressing how much he had learned from them.
“It’s probably not the time to start thinking about next year because I have so much respect for these seniors,” Manning said post-game, according to the Austin-American Statesmen. “I’ve learned so much from them. They’re just great people, and I’m going to miss them, for sure.”
Despite being born into the legendary Manning dynasty, Arch has never acted like he’s above his teammates or friends. Former NFL quarterback Tim Tebow believes the young quarterback is the kind of guy who puts his team above everything else.
“His humility and willingness to handle the pressure in a humble way, where it hasn’t been about him; it’s been about the team. That’s an incredible job of parenting,” Tebow said last year.
Even amid all the hubbub, Manning’s humility shone through. The Longhorns quarterback was all smiles as he shared a conversation with Holly Rowe following their gritty 20-17 win over Tennessee.
“I know this was a hard-fought win. This was dramatic down the stretch, but that long drive, you guys punch it in, you go over, and you’re hyping up your offensive line,” Rowe said.
“How huge was that moment for you guys in this game? It was fun.” Manning did not make the answer about himself. “I felt like I battled the whole time. Shout out to our defense,” he said. “Colin Simmons, that’s a real player right there.”
Coming from a family filled with legends, Arch Manning is carving his own path and building a legacy that will be remembered for generations. Those closest to him know what a gem he truly is, regardless of the noise surrounding him.