NBC’s golden voice of sports, Mike Tirico, was ripped off the air in a shocking turn of events during the 2025 Kentucky Derby — and it wasn’t a planned switch. The veteran broadcaster had barely warmed up his mic when disaster struck.
According to reports, Tirico suffered a severe allergic reaction to nuts, forcing him to abandon the high-profile live coverage from Churchill Downs.
That’s right — in the middle of one of the biggest sporting events of the year, Tirico was sidelined. And fans were left stunned.
Within the first hour of NBC’s coverage, Tirico suddenly disappeared from the screen, replaced by Ahmed Fareed, who told viewers Tirico was “under the weather.” But the real story? A scary nut allergy reaction that nearly derailed the day.
Later, Fareed clarified on air:
“Mike had an allergic reaction earlier to some nuts… he’s doing better, but out of caution, he’s stepping away for the rest of the show.”
As first reported by NBC, Tirico was treated immediately at Churchill Downs and is now recovering. The beloved anchor even took to social media, thanking his medical team and NBC colleagues for “quick thinking” and “incredible support.”
This isn’t just a casual TV swap — Tirico is the face of NBC’s Triple Crown coverage, having held the reins since 2017. Fans expect him to guide them through every gallop, every shock finish, every champagne-soaked win.
But allergies don’t care about tradition.
And let’s be honest — this sudden shake-up sent Twitter into meltdown, with viewers scrambling to find out what happened. Tirico quickly trended nationwide.
It’s a sobering reminder that even the most polished pros aren’t immune to real-life scares. Luckily, he’s on the mend — but viewers definitely felt his absence.
The show galloped on without him, with Mystik Dan taking home the roses in a nail-biting finish. But Tirico’s dramatic departure? It’s the moment everyone’s talking about.
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