NEW YORK CITY (PIX11) – “Today” show weatherman and journalist Al Roker has been given the symbolic key to New York City.
Mayor Eric Adams handed the key over to the Queens native on Tuesday.
“For more than 40 years, Al Roker has been a morning institution in the households of New Yorkers and Americans across the nation,” Adams said. “Al’s winning smile, infectious energy, and go-getter attitude have been how TODAY’S millions of viewers a week start their day.”
Roker started his career in Syracuse but has helmed the Today show’s weather coverage for nearly 30 years, racking up 14 Emmys.
“I never imagined a kid from Queens would be receiving a Key to the City of New York,” Roker said. “This is really special. I love this city and grew up here with my dad working as a New York City bus driver in Brooklyn. I’m so very blessed and lucky.”
Roker now joins a long list of icons with keys to New York City, including Billy Joel, the Dalai Lama and the 2009 World Series-winning New York Yankees lineup. The first key was handed out in 1702 and this year, the tradition garnered attention when Sean “Diddy” Combs returned the key Adams awarded him.
