Al Roker reflects 1 year after hospitalization for blood clots: ‘Life can turn on a dime

Al Roker is thrilled to be hosting the 2023 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade after health issues last year caused him to miss the parade for the first time in 27 years.

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The popular TODAY weatherman's co-hosts are just as excited for him to come back. "Do you know what the best part of this year's show was? "You know who's coming back!" Craig Melvin, co-host of TODAY on November 20, said.

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Hoda Kotb of TODAY said, "The parade wasn't the same last year without Al." She also said that the team is "over the moon" that he will be leading the parade again this year.

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“I feel pretty good. ... I feel like I’m back to like 100%,” Al tells TODAY.com in a phone interview.

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Things looked very different this time last year, though. Al had to go to the hospital in November 2022 because blood clots in his legs had spread to his lungs.

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As a result, he was unable to host the parade for the first time since 1995.

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