Mike Tirico has been NBC’s primary broadcaster for the Kentucky Derby since 2017. Saturday marked the 151st running of the race, and several hours prior to post time, NBC reported Tirico was feeling “under the weather.”

“I am Ahmed Fareed. Mike, as you may have heard, is feeling a little under the weather right now, so I’m going to step in, take over for a bit. It is not like baseball. If the closer comes in, the starter can come back in the game. So, rest assured that when Mike’s feeling better, he’ll be back right here in this seat.”

NBC Sports broadcaster Mike Tirico.

© Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

As post time got closer, news broke that Tirico wouldn’t be returning to the broadcast. At 6:10 p.m. ET, the 58-year-old shared on social media that he had suffered a “significant reaction” to his nut allergy.

“Hate being a scratch after making the starting gate @KentuckyDerby,” Tirico wrote. “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. Especially Randy, Jerry & Ahmed Fareed. So lucky to have @SyracuseU fam step in and do such a great job.”

Sports fans likely recognize Tirico from more than just horse racing. He’s the voice of Sunday Night Football on NBC, the network’s primetime host for the Olympics. and starting in the 2025–26 season. He’ll also call NBA games as NBC’s lead play-by-play announcer.

Tirico has been with NBC since 2016 after 25 years with ESPN.