Days after she was at the center of a controversy surrounding an AI video that depicted her being assaulted, ESPN reporter Holly Rowe revealed she has dealt with a family tragedy.Rowe has been unwillingly placed in the middle of a scandal after she was blown off by Texas coach Steve Sarkisian in a post-game interview after the Longhorns upset No. 1 Ohio State.Days later, Texas quarterback Arch Manning was criticized for laughing at a video generated by AI that showed Sarkisian violently backhanding Rowe.In the midst of all that, Rowe announced on her X account on Wednesday that her mother died recently and was buried.’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.’We buried my beautiful Mother today. 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. pic.twitter.com/IJjJdgzida— Holly Rowe (@sportsiren) September 17, 2026 ESPN college football sideline reporter Holly Rowe revealed her mother died recently This comes as Rowe is at the center of a controversy over her treatment by Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian in a post-game interview and subsequent AI videos made of the exchange Rowe shared images of herself and her family gathered for the service, an urn surrounded by flowers, a set dinner table and a violinist playing for the family.The tragedy comes at a time where Rowe has been at the center of college football headlines for her interaction with Sarkisian.As Texas celebrated on the field, Rowe pulled the coach aside for a traditional post-game interview.Rather than speak to the reporter, Sarkisian screamed into the microphone: ‘That’s called Texas fight! That’s called Texas fight! Hook ’em!,’ before running off to celebrate with his team.A visibly frustrated Rowe was left in the lurch, but Sarkisian received criticism on social media for the move.The viral moment spawned multiple AI edits, including one showing Sarkisian screaming in Rowe’s face before slapping her to the ground.Manning, the nephew of former NFL quarterbacks Peyton and Eli Manning, was asked about the videos and said: ‘Have y’all seen that one? That’s a good one. Of [Sarkisian] slapping Holly Rowe? That’s hilarious.’The quarterback and Heisman Trophy front-runner was buried in an avalanche of criticism for his laughter and describing the video depicting an assault as ‘hilarious’ – ultimately leading him to apologize publicly. Texas quarterback Arch Manning published an apology after laughing at one AI video that showed Sarkisian slapping Rowe to the ground and calling it ‘hilarious”In my press conference yesterday, I made an insensitive comment about an AI video. There is nothing funny about it,’ Manning said in an apology post to his Instagram story.’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 added: ‘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,’ the quarterback concluded.Rowe responded with an Instagram story of her own accepting the apology.’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,’ Rowe said.