Veteran sportscaster Mike Tirico is a late scratch at the 2025 Kentucky Derby.
Tirico, who has led NBC Sports’ Triple Crown coverage since 2017, was on the call Saturday for the network ahead of ‘The Run for the Roses’ on a rainy and cold day at Churchill Downs, but eagle-eyed viewers noticed that Tirico appeared to be less than 100%. Tirico had to step away from the Kentucky Derby coverage in Louisville shortly after 3 p.m. ET due to feeling ‘under the weather.’
Although it wasn’t clear if Tirico would return for the 151st running of the Kentucky Derby, which has a post time set for 7:02 p.m. ET, Fareed later shared around 6 p.m. ET that Tirico wouldn’t return after suffering from an allergic reaction.
‘We want to tell you that (Mike) does have a nut allergy. He had a reaction earlier today,’ announced NBC Sports host Ahmed Fareed, who took over for Tirico on the NBC Sports desk on the racetrack. ‘He is feeling fine now, but he is just going to stay on the sidelines. Mike, I know you are listening right now. I hope you are feeling better and get back to yourself very soon.’
Social media users pointed out Tirico didn’t appear to be his usual self during the broadcast. ‘Mike Tirico sounds like he should be in bed sleeping, not covering the Derby,’ one social media user wrote, while another added, ‘Why are we pretending like Mike Tirico is ok. Something is very wrong.’ Others pointed out that Tirico’s legendary voice that has become a staple on NBC Sports airwaves was not up to par today: ‘Mike Tirico’s voice might not make it to the end of the Kentucky Derby telecast.’
What happened to Mike Tirico? Social media reacts
Here’s how social media reacted to Tirico’s departure from Kentucky Derby coverage.
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