NEW YORK, NY. (THECOUNT) — Iconic NBC weatherman Al Roker, a staple at the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, is missing from the broadcast for the first time in 27 years. Earlier this month, Roker was hospitalized for blood clots. He disclosed the medical issue last week on social media.
“So many of you have been thoughtfully asking where I’ve been. Last week I was admitted to the hospital with a blood clot in my leg which sent some clots into my lungs,” Roker announced on social media last week.
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Roker, 68, has been battling health issues since 2020 including a bout with prostate cancer. In late September he revealed on social media that he tested positive for COVID-19. The fully vaccinated meteorologist said at the time that he was boosted the week before declaring “the science works.” He noted the ‘vaccine’ reduced his symptoms and “I don’t feel anything really.”
Roker’s wife, ABC News correspondent Deborah Roberts, posted that she was grateful for “the top notch medical care and prayer warriors from every corner.”
“We love you dearly sweet Al and can’t wait to get you home,” Roberts wrote.
At the start of the parade, his co-hosts wished him well and marked his long legacy at the event.
“For the past 27 parades, at this moment, we’d turn to Al Roker, our Today Show colleague and our best pal, but, as a lot of you have heard, Al’s recovering, and he’s recovering very well from a recent medical issue,” Hoda Kotb said “We just want to say we love you, Al. Wonder if you’re watching? But, we wish you a full recovery.”
Today Show co-host Savannah Guthrie introduced Dylan Dreyer, the meteorologist filling in for Roker, who was covering the parade from the Upper West Side in New York.
It’s unclear how long Roker will be out while he recovers, but his co-stars are eager to have him back for next Thanksgiving.
“We love you, Al. We’ll see you next year!” Guthrie said.
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