Veteran sportscaster Mike Tirico has spoken out about his abrupt exit from NBC‘s Kentucky Derby 2025 dwell broadcast on Saturday, Could 3. Tirico was current for early protection of the occasion however was then all of a sudden absent round 3 p.m. ET. Tirico had an allergic response to a nut and needed to step away. He confirmed the response himself on social media a couple of hours after his exit.
“Hate being a scratch after making the beginning gate @KentuckyDerby. Only a vital response to my nut allergy. You probably have one you understand how it will probably knock you down,” Tirico shared on X/Twitter round 6 p.m. ET on Could 3. “Profound because of @ChurchillDowns for his or her care. And to our superb @nbcsports horse racing household. Particularly Randy, Jerry & Ahmed Fareed So fortunate to have @SyracuseU fam step in and do such an awesome job.”
Tirico has been a lead broadcaster for NBC’s Kentucky Derby protection for a number of years, amongst different sporting occasions. Ahmed Fareed stepped in for Tirico following his sudden absence, telling viewers that Tirico is likely to be again. Round 6 p.m. ET, Fareed confirmed that Tirico was OK however wouldn’t be returning.
“[Tirico] does have a nut allergy, he had a response earlier right this moment. He’s feeling positive now, however he’s simply going to remain on the sideline,” Fareed informed viewers. “Mike, I do know you’re watching proper now, I hope you’re feeling higher and get your self again right here very quickly.”
“[Mike Tirico] does have a nut allergy. He had a response earlier right this moment. He’s feeling positive now, however he’s simply gonna keep on the sideline.” #KentuckyDerby https://t.co/8a5HPY8YzS pic.twitter.com/CJa4seBn8u
— Terrible Asserting (@awfulannouncing) Could 3, 2025
Fareed informed viewers when he first appeared earlier this afternoon that Tirico was feeling “below the climate” however didn’t rule out the possibility that he might be again on-camera in a while.
“Mike, as you will have heard, feeling a little bit below the climate proper now,” Fareed mentioned, “so I’m going to step in, take over for a bit. It’s not like baseball. If the nearer is available in, the starter can come again within the sport, so relaxation assured that when Mike’s feeling higher, he’ll be again proper right here on this seat.”
Followers on social media observed that one thing was up with Tirico throughout dwell pre-coverage.
“Is Mike Tirico alright? Watching NBC’s Kentucky Derby protection & it feels like he’s speaking along with his mouth full,” one Bluesky consumer wrote.
Aaron Rodgers and Mike Tomlin is the pairing Mike Tirico desires to see… however is it probably? 🤔
“In my soul, I wish to see Aaron Rodgers in Pittsburgh… However as we get all the way down to Could, my confidence of that occuring has diminished considerably.”@heykayadams | @miketirico pic.twitter.com/Gxa1Jpl3gz
— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) Could 2, 2025
“Is one thing fallacious with Mike Tirico, nice announcer however his voice appears a bit completely different or off,” one viewer requested on X/Twitter.
“The best way he sounds there needs to be odds on Mike Tirico not making it to the end of the Kentucky Derby present,” wrote one other X/Twitter consumer.