NBC’s Mike Tirico will be absent from Sunday Night Football while navigating a “health issue.”
“Unfortunately, I will have to miss tonight’s game in Chicago due to a health issue,” Tirico, 59, wrote in a statement shared via NBC’s social media on Sunday, November 8. “I look forward to watching tonight and can’t wait to be back with Cris, Melissa and the rest of our SNF team next Sunday night in Cincinnati.”
He continued, “Noah Eagle will call tonight’s game with Cris Collinsworth and Melissa Stark.”
No further details were shared about Tirico’s health. The lead NBC play-by-play announcer was scheduled to broadcast the Chicago Bears and Tampa Bay Buccaneers game on Sunday.
The matchup was set to be his 300th NFL broadcast. Tirico has been the lead Sunday Night Football play-by-play announcer since 2022, when he replaced legendary announcer Al Michaels. He is also known for his commentary during NBA games and the Olympics.
In 2025, Tirico made headlines when he pulled out of covering the 151st Kentucky Derby after suffering a “significant” allergic reaction. Host and sports reporter Ahmed Fareed took on the role in Tirico’s absence.
“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,” Tirico wrote via X at the time. “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🍊.”
Days after the Kentucky Derby, Tirico shared an update on his health and assured fans he was feeling “fine” after the scare.
“I’ve had a nut allergy my whole life and I’m usually very, very careful. … 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,” Tirico said during an appearance on Today in 2025. “And thank goodness Ahmed Fareed, who’s great, was there and filled in more than abley. The show went on without us.”
