Mike Tirico called the Philadelphia Eagles’ win over the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday Night Football less than a week after suffering a significant injury—a torn Achilles tendon.
During the broadcast, Tirico revealed that he had torn his Achilles after missing a step at his home the previous Monday. Despite the painful injury, the veteran sportscaster showed remarkable dedication by opting not to take any time off from his duties as NBC’s lead commentator for Sunday Night Football.
As the broadcast unfolded, fellow NBC commentator Cris Collinsworth brought up Tirico’s injury, adding some light-hearted humor to the situation. Collinsworth joked with Tirico on-air, and the production team even cut to a unique camera angle that showed Tirico’s left leg as he sat down, demonstrating his perseverance in working through the discomfort.
Tirico explained the immediate aftermath of the injury, saying, “Once you tear your Achilles, it’s pain right away, and then it’s awkward getting around for a while. Our group was amazing, trying to set up the booth so it was as comfortable as possible.” Tirico’s commitment to calling games was evident, as he made it clear that he wouldn’t be stepping away from the broadcast booth, even with his injury.
Oddly enough, the topic of Tirico’s torn Achilles came up after NBC aired a promotional segment for a medical drama, prompting Collinsworth to segue into the discussion about Tirico’s condition. Tirico took the banter in stride, maintaining his usual professionalism and upbeat demeanor despite the circumstances.
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Later in the broadcast, Tirico was seen using a knee scooter to help him move around after leaving the booth, as he made his way toward the elevator. The sight of Tirico on the scooter was a reminder of the physical challenge he was facing, but it also highlighted his determination to keep working through the setback.
Tirico’s next assignment will be on Thanksgiving Day, where he will be calling the game from Green Bay as the Packers host the Miami Dolphins in the holiday nightcap. Despite the injury, Tirico is committed to being there, ensuring fans get the high-quality commentary they’ve come to expect from him.
The Eagles dominated the game against the Rams, winning 37-20, which made for a relatively straightforward broadcast for Tirico in his first outing since the injury. Throughout the game, Tirico remained in good spirits, delivering his usual sharp analysis and insights, with many fans not even realizing he was essentially working on one leg until he mentioned it on-air.
Mike Tirico has been with NBC since 2016 and has served as the lead commentator for Sunday Night Football for the past few seasons, taking over the role from broadcasting legend Al Michaels.
His professionalism and dedication to his craft were on full display on Sunday night, as he refused to let a major injury sideline him from doing what he loves.
Tirico’s resilience serves as an example of his commitment to the job, and his willingness to continue working despite his injury earned the admiration of viewers and colleagues alike.
As he prepares for his next broadcast in Green Bay, fans can rest assured that Tirico will bring his A-game, even if he’s temporarily relying on a knee scooter to get around.
