Mike Tirico worried fans when he suddenly halted his Kentucky Derby coverage on Saturday, May 3, 2025. The legendary NBC commentator, who recently filled in for Today’s Craig Melvin in April, stepped away from coverage as his NBC colleague Ahmed Fareed stepped in without missing a beat to fill in for him.
Fans immediately took to social media to express their concerns for the 58-year-old sports broadcaster, with many questioning why he "sounded" off. One wrote, "Why does Mike Tirico sound like that?" while another echoed, "Mike Tirico sounds like he should be in bed sleeping, not covering the Derby." Others questioned if he had a cold, as someone stated, "Why are we pretending like Mike Tirico is ok? Something is very wrong," and many wished him the best, saying, "Hope Mike Tirico feels better. He sounds like me right now. #HeadCold."
Fareed said on air that Tirico had to step away after feeling “under the weather,” adding, “It is not like baseball. If the closer comes in, the starter can come back in the game.” She confirmed he'd be "staying on the sideline," sending well-wishes, "Mike, I know you’re watching right now. I hope you’re feeling better and get back to yourself here very soon."
Shortly after his abrupt exit, Tirico took to X (formerly Twitter) to reveal that he was experiencing a "significant" reaction to a nut allergy. "Hate being a scratch after making the starting gate @KentuckyDerby. Just a significant reaction to my nut allergy. If you have one, you know how it can knock you down," he began in the post. "Profound thanks to @ChurchillDowns for their care. And to our amazing @nbcsports horse racing family. Especially Randy, Jerry & Ahmed Fareed. So lucky to have @SyracuseU fam step in and do such a great job," he concluded, sharing his praise for his co-workers.
Radio personality Terry Meiners wished Mike Tirico well on X, saying, "Feel better soon, Mike Tirico. The Ironman of @NBCSports is off of continuing @KentuckyDerby coverage due to illness. Mike is loved at @ChurchillDowns and all around the sports world."
Tirico is a known voice across the NFL, having called games for 19 seasons and also tapping in for many major sporting events like the Olympics and the US Open. He was set to announce the 2025 Kentucky Derby live from Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, but had to abruptly leave the show due to his health issues.
On Monday, May 5, 2025, Tirico appeared on "The Today Show" and opened up about what happened. He explained that he suffered an allergic reaction to something he ate. "I ate something that had a nut in it and had a nut allergy, causing your throat and your nose all that stuff to kind of clog up and swell. It affects your breathing a little bit, so I wasn’t feeling well, couldn’t go on with the show," he said.
Tirico noted that he ended up feeling better later in the day, but unfortunately wasn't able to work the 2025 Kentucky Derby. The race itself was won by the underdog Sovereignty, which took down the overwhelming favorite, Journalism. The 2025 Triple Crown will continue in two weeks, with the 2025 Preakness Stakes set to take place on Saturday, May 17, 2025.
Sovereignty's owner and trainer have stated that while they hope to have the horse race in the second leg of the Triple Crown, it hasn't been 100 percent decided yet. As the excitement builds for the upcoming Preakness Stakes, the racing community is also sending their best wishes to Mike Tirico as he continues to recover from his Kentucky Derby illness suffered over the weekend.
As fans and colleagues alike rally behind Tirico, the sports world remains hopeful for his swift return to the broadcast booth. His voice has been a staple in sports commentary, and many are eager to see him back in action.
