Charles Sykes/Invision/AP/Shutterstock
There is a acquainted face lacking at this yr’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Al Roker, who has made appearances for At this time alongside the long-lasting parade route for 27 years, just isn’t at this yr’s occasion as a result of he is recovering from blood clots in his leg and lungs that despatched him to the hospital earlier this month.
Throughout NBC’s broadcast of the 96th annual parade on Thursday, his fellow morning present co-hosts despatched Roker properly needs.
“For the previous 27 parades, at this second, Savannah, we’d flip to Al Roker, who’s our At this time present colleague and our greatest pal,” Hoda Kotb mentioned. “However as a number of you’ve got heard, Al’s recovering — he is recovering very properly from a current medical concern. And we simply need to say, we love you Al. Questioning for those who’re watching, however we want you a full restoration.”
Savannah Guthrie additionally shared a heartfelt message with the At this time present climate anchor, earlier than saying that At this time co-host Dylan Dreyer will take his place this yr.
“We love you, Al. We’ll see you subsequent yr,” Guthrie mentioned. “And now, standing in for Al, Ms. Dylan Dreyer from the At this time present. She’s positioned uptown on the parade’s begin line. Hello Dylan, good morning!”
RELATED: Al Roker Recovering After Being Hospitalized for Blood Clots in His Leg and Lungs
Sachyn Mital/Shutterstock
RELATED: All the things to Know In regards to the 2022 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
Dreyer had some candy phrases for her the climate professional. “Good morning guys, and Completely satisfied Thanksgiving. Al, we love you, we miss you and we’re interested by you!”
Throughout the broadcast, Dreyer spoke by cellphone with President Joe Biden and First Girl Dr. Jill Biden. Together with wishing first responders and troops a Completely satisfied Thanksgiving, the president additionally acknowledged Roker.
“We will give Al a name, too, see how he is doing,” the President informed Dreyer, to which she responded, “Al is doing nice.”
On Thursday, Roker shared on his Instagram that he left the hospital. “That is my model of the Thanksgiving Day Parade — on the point of go away the hospital!” he mentioned as he walked by the corridor. “Time to blow this taco stand. Woohoo!”
He additionally captioned the submit: “A lot to be #grateful for on the #thanksgiving day. Leaving the hospital and residential for #thanksgivingdinner.”
As soon as he bought residence, Roker even tuned into the parade to look at his colleagues facilitate the present, posting a selfie in entrance of the TV. “Again residence in time to catch slightly little bit of the #macysthanksgivingdayparade,” he wrote. “Lacking being subsequent to @savannahguthrie and @hodakotb.”
Roker, who has been absent from the NBC morning present for 3 weeks now, gave an replace on his whereabouts on Nov. 18, revealing in an Instagram submit that he is been receiving medical therapy for blood clots.
“So lots of you’ve got been thoughtfully asking the place I have been,” wrote Roker, 68, captioning a photograph of a bouquet of flowers. “Final week I used to be admitted to the hospital with a blood clot in my leg which despatched some clots into my lungs.”
“After some medical whack-a-mole, I’m so lucky to be getting terrific medical care and on the best way to restoration,” he added.
“Thanks for all of the properly needs and prayers and hope to see you quickly. Have an incredible weekend, everybody,” he concluded.
RELATED: What It is Wish to Be within the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
Roker has been a staple on At this time as this system’s premiere climate anchor since 1996. For years earlier than that, he made appearances as an alternative to the late Willard Scott.
He was final absent from the present in late September, after testing constructive for COVID-19.
Whereas Roker has been coping with his well being points, Dreyer has been filling in for him on At this time. She and co-hosts Guthrie, Kotb, Craig Melvin and Carson Daly spoke about their colleague on Friday’s present.
“He is in good spirits, we have all talked to him,” mentioned Guthrie, 50, with co-anchor Kotb, 58, stressing, “He is in nice spirits.”
