Al Roker Reflects On Retirement After 30 Years As A Weatherman

Al Roker has gone big, but he is not going home just yet!

The media personality is not thinking about leaving the chair anytime soon, despite celebrating three decades on air, and this decision is fueled by the most powerful emotion: love!

Al Roker has survived several health issues to get here, including internal bleeding and blood clots, which landed him in the hospital in 2022, and a prostate cancer diagnosis in 2020.

The meteorologist appeared on "TODAY" to discuss what the future holds for him, and it is basically him pumping up the accelerator after 30 years in the game.

Roker emphasized that while his gaze is not set on retirement yet, somebody at NBC might think about him stepping down. The media guru emphasized that his commitment to giving his best on the show is fueled by sheer admiration for what he does. In his words:

"I love what I do. I feel good. I love this job. I love doing it. At some point, I guess I won't be, but I don't feel like that's anytime soon, so I'm just gonna keep going."

He then went further and discussed the beauty of broadcasting and how the mission has stayed the same over the years, with each news person serving as a custodian of the legacy, which is passed down from generation to generation.

"At some point, I won't be part of the show; somebody else will be, but to be part of a pretty cool club is very special. To say that this was a dream job isn't really accurate because it never dawned on me that I could be on the Today show," Roker declared.

Roker took over from Willard Scott on the show in 1996 and noted that it has been memorable for him to have spent the past years sitting across the table from iconic figures in history.

"I guess it was about 10 years ago in one 24-hour period out in California, I interviewed Don Rickles, Betty White, Carl Reiner, and Dick Van Dyke, and it was like, wow, I'm a kid from Queens out doing this," he shared.

The journalist also recalled a special moment that happened between himself and former president Barack Obama, and his then vice-president, Joe Biden. He not only received an approving nod from Obama about the weather, but he also got a pleasant handshake from Vice President Biden. 

He reflected on the significance of Obama's inauguration, which coincided with Martin Luther King Jr's birthday, and just how much his parents would have been proud of him. 

"I'm thinking my parents are looking down and going, 'Our son was acknowledged by the President of the United States and had his hand shaken by the Vice President.' Like I said, for a kid from Queens, that's some pretty heavy stuff," Roker claimed.

When asked what his legacy would be, Roker expressed that he would want to be remembered as someone who makes people feel better after every watch.

The weatherman was on the verge of being replaced last year following the need of the station to employ someone much younger and in tune with social media trends.

As noted by The Blast, a source from the show claimed that the network wanted someone fresh and more TikTok-friendly. "They're calling it a 'reboot' – while we're calling it a boot out the door. TV doesn't like to age, and neither do network execs," the insider added. 

However, sources behind the scenes claimed the debate went beyond concerns about his health; instead, some parties called out the timing of the whole situation.

"Yes, Al's had medical scares. But the timing of these 'concerns' is sketchier than a seven-day forecast," the source detailed about the mood behind the scenes. 

Roker did exit the show for a while in 2022, and his return in 2023 was well celebrated by his co-host, who announced it homecoming style.

Roker, who has triumphed over these health challenges, appeared on the Start Today fitness app and shared that true wellness is all about making smaller choices that make every day add up to the big things. 

The Blast stated that the media personality assured his viewers that doubts and second-guessing are all part of the processes of weight management and health issues, and no one should feel like it is the end of the world for that.

Roker shared that he struggled with weight for the better part of his adult life, and he only knew it was time to change after his sick dad made him promise to work on his physical well-being.

"And he said, point-blank, 'Look, we both know I'm not going to be here to help you raise your kids. You've got to be here for your children.' And that really stuck with me, and that led me to do a gastric bypass," he stated.

Roker noted that his fitness routine typically involved waking up each day before his show to take a 25-minute walk on the treadmill before proceeding to 10 minutes of load-bearing exercises. Some other days, the star takes brisk walks home from the office, and he always listens to his body after a lecture from his wife.

In 2022, a blood clot was discovered on his leg, which eventually broke into little pieces that traveled up his lungs and created a health emergency. The incident created concern in the hearts of his kids and wife, but he made it through the challenge and returned home just in time for Thanksgiving.

The meteorologist shared a post of himself excitedly walking out of the hospital in triumph mode, donning a black cap, green shirt, and dark pants combo. In his words:

"This is my version of the Thanksgiving Day parade. Getting ready to leave the hospital. Time to blow this taco stand. So much to be #thankful for on the #Thanksgiving day. Leaving the hospital and home for #thanksgivingdinner."

He also uploaded a picture of himself taking the day off at home and catching up with his family while smiling from ear to ear in the spirit of the season.

Al Roker totally loves it on air; no one is complaining either!