Mike Tirico has a nut allergy? Here's why sports anchor left Kentucky Derby broadcast

Sportscaster Mike Tirico stepped away and abruptly left after feeling ‘under the weather’.

Updated on: May 4, 2025, 03:57:14 IST

By Yash Nitish Bajaj

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

Veteran sportscaster Mike Tirico, who was on NBC Sports' coverage of the 2025 Kentucky Derby on Saturday, stepped away and abruptly left after feeling ‘under the weather’. The main event will begin at 7:02 PM ET and will likely go ahead without Tirico.

Mike Tirico left Kentucky Derby broadcast on Saturday (IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

“Mike, as you may have heard, is a little under the weather right now,” NBC Sports host Ahmed Fareed, who took over for Tirico, said.

Several social media users, meanwhile, claimed that Fareed stated that his colleague left because of his nut allergy. The veteran sports anchor is yet to issue a statement.

“Ahmed Fareed said on the air that Mike Tirico had a reaction to a nut allergy and is feeling fine now. But he'll remain off NBC's #KentuckyDerby151 broadcast,” one person wrote on X, platform formerly known as Twitter.

“NBC said Mike Tirico had a reaction to a Nut allergy & will be on the sidelines for the rest of the #KentuckyDerby coverage,” another one added.

What did Ahmed Fareed say?

“[Tirico] does have a nut allergy, he had a reaction earlier today. He is feeling fine now, but he is just going to stay on the sideline. Mike, I know you're watching right now, I hope you're feeling better and get yourself back here very soon,” the broadcaster, who stepped in for Mike Tirico, said.

Issues with Mike Tirico's voice

Earlier in the day, viewers pointed out Tirico did not appear to be his usual self, with issues in his voice.

"Mike Tirico sounds like he should be in bed sleeping, not covering the Derby," one person wrote on social media.

“Why are we pretending like Mike Tirico is ok. Something is very wrong,” another one posted.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Yash Nitish Bajaj
Yash Bajaj is a Chief Content Producer with a strong foundation in US coverage, digital strategy, and audience-focused storytelling. As part of the US Desk at Hindustan Times, he covers a wide range of topics - from American politics to sports (NFL, NBA, derbies, MLB and more). Before joining Hindustan Times, Yash served as Deputy News Editor at Times Now, where he oversaw international coverage and led a team of six. In this role, he significantly expanded global traffic through strategic planning, SEO-driven content execution, and meticulous trend tracking across platforms. He is experienced in managing high-pressure breaking-news shifts, coordinating live coverage, and building newsroom systems that improve speed, accuracy, and reach. Prior to Times Now, Yash held a position at Opoyi, where he headed the Sports and US news team. He developed broad editorial strategies, guided reporters across multiple beats, and played a key role in recruiting and training new talent. His responsibilities also extended to social media management and experimenting with innovative content formats. A passionate NFL fan, Yash is a die-hard supporter of the Cincinnati Bengals and has followed Joe Burrow closely since his college days at LSU. Whether breaking down top players' latest performance, analyzing team performances, or tracking roster moves, he brings the same dedication and sharp storytelling to his sports coverage as he does to American politics and breaking news. When he’s not writing, Yash can often be found watching games or debating the latest NFL storylines with fellow fans. Yash holds a Bachelor of Mass Media (Journalism) from HR College, Mumbai University. His interests extend well beyond the newsroom: he is an enthusiastic explorer of AI tools, a movie buff with an ever-growing watchlist, and someone who enjoys unraveling conspiracy theories for fun.Read More

Catch all the latest Sports News, scores, and highlights in one place. Stay updated with real-time coverage of your favorite games and athletes along with Lionel Messi latest updates.