Eli Manning has offered his thoughts on the controversy surrounding his nephew, Texas quarterback Arch Manning, and ESPN sideline reporter Holly Rowe.
After Texas defeated Ohio State in Week 2, Arch Manning was asked about Texas coach Steve Sarkisian’s abrupt postgame interview with ESPN. The talented quarterback admit that he saw an AI-generated video of Sarkisian slapping Rowe at midfield.
Manning’s comments received a ton of backlash online, as fans accused him of being disrespectful to Rowe. He then went out of his way to issue a public apology to the longtime ESPN reporter.
“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 wrote on Instagram. “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.”
Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images.
During an interview with Front Office Sports, Eli Manning reminded his nephew to be careful with what he says at the podium.
“Most of my advice, more football stuff. He’ll have to figure out that media on his own, and a lot of it is just kind of growing pains. You feel like they’re your pal, you relax with them a little bit, you try to be funny, and then they can take it and run,” Manning told Front Office Sports. “So you just gotta be careful. You gotta find your moments where you can be funny, you can be relaxed, but there’s certain things that you know you just gotta learn and deal with it. And I think he has learned, and he apologized and did the right steps in handling that.”
Considering Eli spent his whole NFL career in New York, we’d say he knows a thing or two about dealing with the media.
Taking a different approach.
Fans noticed that Manning was much more reserved during this Monday’s media session. Perhaps it’s his way of avoiding any future controversies.
Of course it’s also possible that Manning just took his uncle’s advice and ran with it.
Either way, we hope Manning continues to make headlines due to his play on the field rather than comments made at a press conference.
