Mike Tirico (Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images)
NBC Sports play-by-play commentator Mike Tirico had to leave the network’s coverage of the 2025 Kentucky Derby because of an allergic reaction.

Several folks on social media noticed that Mike Tirico was absent for most of the Kentucky Derby broadcast after appearing on the early coverage of the event.

Roughly an hour before the race, Tirico revealed on X/Twitter that he had a bad reaction to his nut allergy and thanked the folks of Churchill Downs for their help. Ahmed Fareed filled in for Tirico after his abrupt exit:

Sovereignty, who celebrated his third birthday in February, went on to win the 151st Kentucky Derby, claiming a $3.1 million first-place grand prize. Journalism, also three years old, finished second to earn $1 million.

The 58-year-old Mike Tirico has been calling the Kentucky Derby for NBC since 2017, replacing the legendary Tom Hammond. Tirico is the play-by-play voice for NBC’s “Sunday Night Football” program, taking over the role full-time following Al Michaels’ departure in 2022.

Mike Tirico Is In His Tenth Season With NBC

Cris Collinsworth and Mike Tirico (Photo via NBC)

Tirico’s broadcasting career began with ESPN in 1991, following his graduation from Syracuse University. He spent 25 years with the network and served as the voice of “Monday Night Football” from 2006 to 2015 before leaving for NBC.

Mike Tirico worked sports and events for NBC, including the 2018 and 2022 Winter Olympics and several NHL games, before working some SNF games in place of Al Michaels. When Michaels’ contract ran up after the 2021 season, Tirico was promoted to full-time play-by-play duties alongside analyst Cris Collinsworth.