Long-time “Today” show weather anchor Al Roker revealed last week that he’d been away from the show for two weeks because he was hospitalized for blood clots — which led this week to his missing the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade for the first time in more than a quarter of a century.
“For the past 27 parades, at this moment, Savannah, we would turn to Al Roker, who is our Today show colleague and our best pal,” co-host Hoda Kotb said during coverage of the event, according to People. “But as a lot of you have heard, Al’s recovering — he’s recovering very well from a recent medical issue. And we just want to say, we love you Al. Wondering if you’re watching, but we wish you a full recovery.”
“We love you, Al. We’ll see you next year,” Savannah Guthrie responded before introducing NBC meteorologist Dylan Dreyer, who stood in for Roker this year.
For his part, Roker seemed to be taking it all in stride — at least according a video he posted to Instagram yesterday.
“All right, this is my version of the Thanksgiving Day Parade, getting ready to leave the hospital,” he said as we walked down a hospital corridor. “Time to blow this taco stand. Woo-hoo!”
He later posted a picture of himself watching from home as Guthrie and Kotb covered the event.
Roker had also used Instagram to inform viewers about his health issues last week.
“So many of you have been thoughtfully asking where I’ve been,” he posted on Nov. 18. “Last week I was admitted to the hospital with a blood clot in my leg which sent some clots into my lungs.
“After some medical whack-a-mole, I am so fortunate to be getting terrific medical care and on the way to recovery,” he added. “Thanks for all the well wishes and prayers and hope to see you soon. Have a great weekend, everyone.”
Roker posted a similar message on Twitter.
So many of you have been thoughtfully asking where I’ve been. Last week I was admitted to the hospital w/blood clot in my leg which sent some clots into my lungs. I am so fortunate to be getting terrific care and on the way to recovery. Thanks for all the well wishes & prayers. pic.twitter.com/p7kylMwST0
— Al Roker (@alroker) November 18, 2022
Roker missed work in September after being diagnosed with COVID and experiencing “mild symptoms,” according to the Boston Herald.
NBC meteorologist Bill Karins filled in on “Today” to cover Hurricane Ian’s landfall in Florida on on Sept. 28.
This time around, his spot has been filled by Dreyer.
Last year, Roker famously received live on-air the COVID-19 vaccine developed under former President Donald Trump’s Operation Warp Speed program.
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Blood clots are often, but not always, the result of injury, according to the Mayo Clinic.
“This process may be triggered by an injury or it can sometimes occur inside blood vessels that don’t have an obvious injury,” according to the organization’s website.
Some COVID-19 cases also result in complications like blood clots.
No specific information regarding the cause of Roker’s condition was reported.
