If you were watching the Kentucky Derby on May 3, 2025, you probably noticed something was off. Mike Tirico, who's usually right there leading the coverage for NBC, kinda disappeared from the screen not long after the broadcast started. His voice sounded rough, and honestly, he didn’t look too good. A little later, Ahmed Fareed popped in to take over, mentioning that Tirico was "under the weather." At that point, nobody really knew what was going on. But yeah, it was definitely noticeable.
Turns Out, It Was a Serious Allergic Reaction
Later that day, things started to make more sense. Tirico himself shared that he had a pretty bad allergic reaction to nuts — something he’s apparently been dealing with for years. Somehow, he got exposed accidentally, and it hit him hard while he was on air. Kinda scary to think about, especially on live TV. He thanked the medical staff at Churchill Downs and the NBC crew for jumping in and taking care of things quickly. It could’ve been a lot worse, but thankfully he got the help he needed right away.
The Show Kept Going — And There Was a Surprise Winner
Even with Tirico out, the Derby broadcast kept rolling. Ahmed Fareed stepped in smoothly and kept the coverage going. The race itself? Pretty wild. Sovereignty pulled off a win over Journalism, which a lot of folks had picked to win. The track was muddy and wet, so that added even more drama. It was one of those finishes that kinda sticks with you. Nobody expected it to end the way it did, which made it even more exciting to watch.
Tirico’s Still One of the Greats
Just to give some context, Mike Tirico’s not just a regular host — he’s been the face of the Kentucky Derby for NBC since 2017. You’ve probably also heard him on Sunday Night Football and NBA broadcasts. The guy’s been doing this for nearly 20 years, and people really respect him for how calm and sharp he always is on screen. So yeah, seeing him suddenly leave the broadcast like that was a bit shocking.
Glad He’s Okay — And Hoping He’s Back Soon
In the end, it’s just a reminder that even pros like Tirico can have unexpected health issues pop up. No one’s immune to that kind of thing. But it was good to hear he’s recovering and plans to be back to his usual schedule soon. You could tell a lot of people were genuinely concerned for him, and the support he got from the team and viewers really showed that he’s appreciated — not just as a broadcaster, but as a person too.
