Mike Tirico has had a long career in sports coverage. However, he was recently pulled from broadcast during a episode of Sunday Night Football. Since then, the NBC personality has shared a statement over the situation.
Mike Tirico Has Covered Sports For A Number Of Outlets, From ESPN To NBC
Tirico is a sportscaster known for his work with NBC News. From 2006 to 2015, he previously served as a play-by-play announcer on ESPN’s Monday Night Football.
Tirico would later become the lead play-by-play announcer for NBC Sunday Night Football, taking over for Al Michaels in 2022. He would also become the lead play-by-play announcer for NBC’s NBA coverage in 2025 and a host for the Olympics on NBC.
However, Tirico was recently pulled from the NBC broadcast of Sunday Night Football between the Chicago Bears and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, just sever hours before kickoff. At the time, NBC released a statement from Tirico, confirming he wasn’t on the call over health concerns. 300th NFL game with Cris Collinsworth alongside him, with Melissa Stark reporting on the sidelines.
According to a statement released by NBC, Tirico himself shared, “Unfortunately, I will have to miss tonight’s game in Chicago due to a health issue. I look forward to watching tonight and can’t wait to be back with Cris [Collinsworth], Melissa [Stark] and the rest of our SNF team next Sunday night in Cincinnati.”
Last Year, Tirico Also Abruptly Departed Coverage OF The Kentucky Derby Over Health Issues
At this time, Tirico did not share much information about his health issues. During the broadcast, Noah Eagle filled in for him in the booth.
This notably comes out after Tirico abruptly departed NBC’s coverage of the Kentucky Derby in May 2025. This was believed to be caused by a nut allergy at the time.
NBC’s Mike Tirico reveals ‘health issue’ as he’ll miss Bears-Buccaneers ‘Sunday Night Football’ broadcast https://t.co/q42rixrYGQ https://t.co/A65KuFSSl4
— New York Post (@nypost) November 8, 2026
Tirico has shared his hopes to return next weekend, which will see the Bengals host the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday Night Football. Meanwhile, Eagle is set to cover the Los Angeles Rams hosting the Green Bay Packers on Thanksgiving Eve. He is also set to be on the call for one of two upcoming Christmas Day games.
Eagle is known for serving as a play-by-play broadcaster for NBC Sports. He is currently in his fourth season calling the weekly primetime Big Ten Football game on NBC and Peacock.
What is your reaction to Mike Tirico’s recent share? Have you been following this story? Are you keeping up with NBC’s Sunday Night Football? Make sure you come back to TV Shows Ace for all the latest TV and celebrity news.
John Witiw has been a writer since at least 2015. He’s covered a variety of topics, especially when it comes to film and television.