Mike Tirico (Image: NBC)
NBC broadcaster Mike Tirico abruptly left the set of the 151st Kentucky Derby on Saturday afternoon. Through a post on X, Tirico revealed that a “significant reaction” to a nut allergy forced him off the call.
Tirico was feeling “under the weather” following the incident on Saturday and was taken off the call.
On NBC’s Today, Tirico spoke about the details of what exactly happened at Churchill Downs.
“I ate something that had a nut in it and had a nut allergy, causing [my] throat and nose and all that stuff to kind of clog up and swell,” Tirico said. “It affects your breathing a little bit, so wasn’t feeling well, couldn’t go on with the show, took an EpiPen shot, got treated by EMTs, felt better.”
Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter!
A week of sports news in your in-box.
We find the sports news you need to know, so you don't have to.
Tirico was replaced by Ahmed Fareed, who finished the rest of the broadcast in his place.
Tirico, 58, has been the voice behind the Kentucky Derby since 2017. He’s also known for calling NBC’s Sunday Night Football along with Chris Collinsworth.
Sovereignty won the Kentucky Derby with a time of 2:02.31. Sovereignty entered the race at 7-1 odds and finished ahead of the pre-race favorite, Journalism.
Minnesota Vikings defender Jamal Adams will miss the entirety of the 2026 season after suffering…
Golden State Warriors rookie forward Yaxel Lendeborg wasted little time establishing his competitive edge, throwing…
Future Hall of Fame pass rusher Von Miller is heading home. The Dallas Cowboys announced…
St. Louis Cardinals rookie outfielder Joshua Báez etched his name into the MLB record books…
Atlanta Falcons edge rusher James Pearce Jr. has been suspended for the first eight games…
The Pittsburgh Steelers opened their 2026 preseason with a convincing 28-9 victory over the Green…