In the throes of college football drama, Holly Rowe has been enduring a family tragedy.
The ESPN star shared Wednesday on X that her mother has died.
“We buried my beautiful Mother today,” Rowe wrote. “We honored her with the things she loves most…Dr. Pepper, Purple, Butterflies released and music. So grateful for my amazing family. We laughed, cried and loved on each other today. Love you Momma💜You raised an amazing family.”
Included in the post were pictures of Rowe and her family, an urn surrounded by flowers and a violinist seemingly playing for the family.
In the last few days, Rowe has been in the headlines involving several twists and turns since Texas’ Steve Sarkisian stood her up after the Longhorns’ comeback 24-23 win over Ohio State on Saturday.
As Texas celebrated on the field, the coach joined Rowe and before she got the cue from the broadcast to start her questioning, Sarkisian took the postgame interview into his own hands.
“That’s called Texas fight! That’s called Texas fight! Hook ’em!” he yelled into her microphone, cutting off Rowe’s question, before walking off to his team celebrating in the back of the shot.
A frustrated Rowe was left on the field and Sarkisian was later torched for the move on social media.
Things only spiraled from there.
The incident led to the creation of several viral AI edits, one of which showed Sarkisian slapping Rowe.
On Monday, quarterback Arch Manning was asked if he had seen any AI videos after the game and the Heisman Trophy favorite answered too honestly.
“I’ve seen a few AI edits and stuff, but that’s about it. I saw AI edits of Sark’s interview,” he said which sparked laughter in the press conference room.
“Have y’all seen that one? That’s a good one,” Manning added with a smile and a laugh. “Of him slapping Holly Rowe? That’s hilarious.”
Manning received a load of backlash for the answer from fans and fellow sports media names.
“Imagine Holly Rowe’s face in that despicable AI video was your daughter’s. Your wife’s. Your sister’s. Still funny? This is gross on so many levels,” Apple TV MLB sideline reporter Tricia Whitaker posted on X. “And no, this isn’t people being ‘too sensitive’ or ‘easily offended.’ Joking about this in a room full of media members and seeing everyone laugh like this? Shame on you.
“A woman being hit isn’t a punchline. Tell that to a domestic violence survivor. Sickening. Holly Rowe is a phenomenal reporter who has spent decades earning respect in this industry. Some things just aren’t funny.”
The quarterback apologized for his comments Tuesday, saying his response was “insensitive.”
“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,” he 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.”
Rowe responded and revealed she spoke with Manning about the matter.
“Thank you Arch. I appreciate our conversation about this – which will remain private,” she wrote on social media. “Apology accepted. “We move forward with respect and kindness for one another.”
Rowe has been at ESPN for over 30 years and is a known figure and voice in the WNBA and college basketball and is a part of the biggest games in college football.
