Mike Tirico speaks out after being suddenly rushed off-air during Kentucky Derby due to sudden illness
Mike Tirico has spoken out in further detail after revealing that a ‘significant reaction’ to his nut allergy forced him to step away from NBC’s Kentucky Derby coverage on Saturday.
Fans were concerned for the 58-year-old broadcaster when he was suddenly replaced about an hour into the broadcast.
But speaking to the TODAY show on Monday, Tirico said he now feels ‘fine’ while going into detail about his allergic reaction.
‘I ate something that had a nut in it and had a nut allergy, causing your throat and your nose all that stuff to kind of clog up and swell,’ he said.
‘It affects your breathing a little bit, so [I] wasn’t feeling well, couldn’t go on with the show, took an EpiPen shot, got treated by EMTs, felt better about 8, 9 o’clock came along, but it takes a long while to get out of your system.’
Tirico, who added that he’d been ’embarrassed’ by the attention his allergic reaction had gotten, explained that he is usually more careful about what he eats and that he has battled the nut allergy his entire life.
Mike Tirico was forced to step away from NBC’s coverage of the Kentucky Derby due to illness
Tirico appeared on TODAY on Monday and said he was ‘fine’ following the incident
‘It’s a real thing,’ he said.
‘My son has it. Lots of us know someone who has a food allergy, so read labels – and I do, as often as possible, to check. Sometimes it will say, “Made in a factory where nuts are present.” You have to be really careful about that stuff.’
While Tirico was in good spirits on TODAY, he had to be replaced by NBC colleague Ahmed Fareed on Saturday.
Fareed stepped in for the legendary Tirico after a commercial break before the latter explained his absence to viewers on X.
[Hate being a scratch after making the starting gate @KentuckyDerby,’ he said.
‘Just a significant reaction to my nut allergy. If you have one you know how it can knock you down. Profound thanks to @ChurchillDowns for their care. And to our amazing @NBCSports horse racing family.’
He didn’t return for Saturday’s big race, the 151st edition of the Kentucky Derby, which was ultimately won by Sovereignty.
Viewers took to social media to comment on Tirico’s voice during the early stages of Saturday’s coverage.
Racing fans were left concerned for Tirico following his abrupt exit from the airwaves
Tirico is one of the most recognizable faces in sports broadcasting and is NBC’s NFL voice
One posted: ‘Why are we pretending like Mike Tirico is ok. Something is very wrong.’
Another commented: ‘The way he sounds there should be odds on Mike Tirico is not making it to the finish of the Kentucky Derby show.’
A third added: ‘Time for @NBCSports to call in Ahmed Fareed for an obviously ailing Mike Tirico on the @KentuckyDerby telecast. His voice is not good television right now.’
‘Definitely could tell he was sick. Sounded horrible’, a fourth shared.
Tirico is one of the most recognizable faces in sports broadcasting and the leading voice for NBC Sports.
The New York native calls Sunday Night Football weekly, has been the lead in-studio host for every Olympic Games dating back to the 2016 Summer Olympics and hosts all three events in horse racing’s Triple Crown.
In building his career and covering nearly every major sporting event over his 38-year career, Tirico has built up an impressive net worth and yearly salary.
Tirico makes $6million annually and has a net worth of $14million, per Parade.
The 58-year-old has also made strides outside of sports broadcasting with NBC, filling in as a host on ‘Today’ during Easter week.
