The “Today” show co-anchor was first hospitalized last month for blood clots in his leg and lung.
WASHINGTON — Al Rooker shared Thursday morning that he “hopes to be home soon” after another long hospital stay.
The “Today” show co-anchor and meteorologist was first hospitalized last month with blood clots in his leg and lung. He was initially released on Thanksgiving, but reportedly was taken back to the hospital a day later due to “complications.”
“Hopefully I’ll be home soon but when your spirits drop a bit, you’ll be able to watch it and recharge. May God bless you all for your prayers and best wishes for me and my family. ” Rooker wrote in an Instagram post on Thursday.
Health issues forced Rooker to miss his first Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in 27 years — an absence noted by many parade viewers.
During the parade broadcast, Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb sent Rooker well.
“For the last 27 parades, at this point, we’ll be turning to Al Rooker, our Today Show colleague and our best friend, but as many of you have heard, Al is recovering. and is recovering very well from a recent medical issue,” Kotb said during the parade. “We just want to say, ‘We love you Al, we wonder if you’re watching, but we wish you a full recovery.'”
On Thanksgiving, Rooker posted on social media that he was at home. Watching the parade on TV after being discharged.
Back in 2020, Rooker was off the air for a few weeks after undergoing surgery to remove his prostate. Rooker revealed at the time that he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer but had caught it early. Rooker explained at the time that he decided to share his diagnosis publicly to encourage others at risk — especially black men — to make sure they see a doctor. Visit and get proper checkups to prevent cancer which is very curable if detected early.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.