Al Roker (left) and Sam Champion.Photo:Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty; Ida Mae Astute/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty
Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty; Ida Mae Astute/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty
Al RokerandSam Championproved that New York City is not so big after all!
“One of the best things about walking in @centralparknyc is you never know who you will run into. Great seeing @samchampion getting his steps in this afternoon,” wrote Roker next to an image of the two onInstagram.
In afollow-up video, he spoke further about their friendship while expressing that it was a “beautiful Thursday to be in Central Park.”
“Just ran into Sam Champion, of all people,” he said. “He and I both started in local news here in New York City about the same time. It’s good to see him.”
Staying healthy has been of even greater priority for Roker ever since beinghospitalized for blood clotsin November. He revealed the news in anInstagram postafter having to miss his morning show duties.
“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,” the post read.
“After some medical whack-a-mole, I am so fortunate to be getting terrific medical care and on the way to recovery. Thanks for all the well wishes and prayers and hope to see you soon. Have a great weekend, everyone,” the post continued.
The medical scare caused him to be hospitalized and not make hisreturn toTodayuntil Jan. 6.
“Al is the lifeblood of this show, he’s the heartbeat,” sharedSavannah Guthriein an interview withEntertainment Tonightafter his in-studio return was announced.“I mean, it just doesn’t work without Al. We love him so much, we miss him so much,” she said. “He went through this period that was difficult and he did it in his trademark way where he’s always smiling, always upbeat, and he is roaring to come back.”
Al Roker.Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty
Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty
While reflecting on the experience in an interview with PEOPLE, Roker shared that he was grateful to have had thesupport of his wife,Deborah Roberts.
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
“For the most part, I have no idea what happened,” he said. “It’s Deborah’s narrative in a way, because I was laying in bed. And it’s like, ‘Okay, yeah, take some more blood. Yeah, give me a scan, whatever you got.’ But Deborah was that rock and would liaison with the doctors.”
source: people.com
