For nine years now, NBC jack-of-all-trades Mike Tirico has been the face of his network's Triple Crown horse racing coverage.
On Saturday, however, he had to step away from his duties—at least in the near-term. With Tirico battling an unspecified illness ahead of the Kentucky Derby, Ahmed Fareed jumped in to take his place.
"Mike, as you may have heard, feeling a little under the weather right now," Fareed said. "So I'm gonna step in and take over for a bit. It's not like baseball—if the closer comes in, the starter can come back in the game."
Fareed, like Tirico, is a Swiss army knife for NBC—having covered college basketball, college football, horse racing, professional football, soccer and numerous other sports.
Mike Tirico is feeling "under the weather" and has stepped away from NBC's Kentucky Derby coverage, at least for now. Ahmed Fareed is pinch hitting in the meantime. pic.twitter.com/HetSzxEAJI
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) May 3, 2025
Tirico's run of nine years is the longest for any host since Bob Costas's 18-year run from 2001 to '18.
Fareed later revealed to viewers that Tirico had an allergic reaction and is now feeling fine.
"[Mike Tirico] does have a nut allergy. He had a reaction earlier today. He is feeling fine now, but he is just gonna stay on the sideline." #KentuckyDerby https://t.co/8a5HPY8YzS pic.twitter.com/CJa4seBn8u
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) May 3, 2025
Hate being a scratch after making the starting gate @KentuckyDerby. Just a significant reaction to my nut allergy. If you have one you know how it can knock you down.
— MikeTirico (@miketirico) May 3, 2025
Profound thanks to @ChurchillDowns for their care. And to our amazing @nbcsports horse racing family.…
Post time for Saturday's Kentucky Derby is scheduled for 6:57 ET.
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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Mike Tirico Steps Away From NBC's Kentucky Derby Coverage With Unspecified Illness.
