Context:

Mike Tirico, the NBC Sports commentator, had to abruptly leave his post during the Kentucky Derby coverage due to a severe allergic reaction. The 58-year-old sportscaster, known for his work on Sunday Night Football, was replaced by Ahmed Fareed live on air as he dealt with the unexpected health issue. Tirico later appeared on the Today Show, explaining that he had accidentally consumed something containing nuts, triggering his nut allergy and necessitating the use of an EpiPen. His experience highlights the seriousness of anaphylaxis, a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction that can occur rapidly. Tirico, who shares this allergy with his son, advises vigilance in checking food labels to avoid similar incidents in the future, emphasizing the importance of this precaution for those with food allergies.

Dive Deeper:

• During the Kentucky Derby, Mike Tirico had to leave unexpectedly due to an allergic reaction, with Ahmed Fareed stepping in to cover his duties live on air.

• The sportscaster suffered from a severe nut allergy that affected his breathing and required the immediate use of an EpiPen, an emergency treatment for anaphylaxis.

• Appearing virtually on the Today Show, Tirico explained the situation, detailing how the allergy caused swelling and made it impossible for him to continue his broadcast duties.

• Anaphylaxis, the condition Tirico experienced, is a rapid and dangerous allergic reaction that can lead to shock and is known to require quick intervention with epinephrine.

• Tirico used this incident to stress the importance of reading food labels carefully, as allergens can often be present even when not explicitly listed, a precaution he recommends for all individuals with food allergies.

• He shared that his son also suffers from nut allergies, underscoring the personal and widespread impact of such health concerns.

• Thankfully, after treatment, Tirico reported feeling better and emphasized the need for awareness about the seriousness of food allergies, both personally and for the general public.

• NBC Sports’ Mike Tirico is explaining his sudden absence from the Kentucky Derby.

• The 58-year-old sportscaster – who you may recognize from his commentating with Sunday Night Football each NFL season – was supposed to be on-air during the Derby this weekend, but abruptly left and was replaced by Ahmed Fareed live on the air.

• Ahmed simply told viewers, “I am Ahmed Fareed. Mike, as you may have heard, is feeling under the weather right now so I’m going to step in, take over for a bit.” Mike never returned.

• On Monday (May 5), Mike ended up appearing virtually on the Today show to explain he had a severe allergic reaction to a nut and had to take an EpiPen.

• Keep reading to find out more…

• “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. 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,” he said.

• “It’s a real thing. 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,” Mike said.

• EpiPen shots are an auto-injectable that delivers a drug known as epinephrine, which is usually given when patients are in anaphylaxis.

• According to the Mayo Clinic, “Anaphylaxis is a severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction. It can occur within seconds or minutes of exposure to something you’re allergic to….[and] causes the immune system to release a flood of chemicals that can cause you to go into shock”

• We’re so glad to hear Mike is feeling better and doing okay!