Longtime Wheel of Fortune host Pat Sajak attended the Washington Capitals game on Friday three weeks after undergoing emergency surgery for a blocked intestine. Sajak was joined at the game by his daughter Maggie. He wore a black Orioles hat.
Vanna White took over Sajak’s hosting duties while he recovered.
“Always great to see Pat around the arena,” NBC Sports Washington’s Craig Laughlin said during the third period of the Caps-Lightning game. “Loves his hockey. He’s getting better. He says the worst has passed Joe B after that surgery so well wishes to Pat and the family.”
Sajak spent Thanksgiving at his Severna Park, MD home and it sounds like he had a blast.
At our Thanksgiving meal today we discussed politics (“Who votes for more cranberries?”), gender issues (“Is that a boy bird or a girl bird?”) and climate change (“That oven is making it warm in here!”). Hope you’re having a good one, too!
— Pat Sajak (@patsajak) November 28, 2019
The Wheel of Fortune Twitter account first announced the 73-year-old went under the knife on November 8.
Our taping on Thursday was canceled because host Pat Sajak underwent successful emergency surgery to correct a blocked intestine. He is resting comfortably and looking forward to getting back to work. Taping resumed today as scheduled and Vanna White has stepped in as host. pic.twitter.com/09zYOCE4hL
— Wheel of Fortune (@WheelofFortune) November 8, 2019
“The Wheel of Fortune taping on Thursday was canceled because host Pat Sajak underwent successful emergency surgery to correct a blocked intestine,” the show posted on social media. “He is resting comfortably and looking forward to getting back to work. Taping resumed today as scheduled, and Vanna White has stepped in a host.”
Great news! Pat has returned home where he will continue to recuperate. All of us at Wheel of Fortune are glad he's on the mend and look forward to having him back! Below is a message he asked us to share with all of you: pic.twitter.com/HjEiOII5JW
— Wheel of Fortune (@WheelofFortune) November 15, 2019
Sajak said “the worst has passed” three days later and returned home shortly thereafter.
I’m so grateful for all the good wishes during my recent illness. Happy to say that the worst has passed, and I’ll be out of the hospital in a day of two, then back to work (unless @TheVannaWhite has completely taken over!)
— Pat Sajak (@patsajak) November 11, 2019
I’m happy to say that my surgery was a total success with absolutely no after effects expected. But the best news is that when I came out of the operating room, I was 63 years old! #10MoreYearsOfWheel
— Pat Sajak (@patsajak) November 12, 2019
You could tell he was getting better as his wit got sharper.
There’s not much good to be said about surgery except that it allows you to ignore whatever else may be going on in the world. As I recuperate at home, the biggest controversy in my life is who will be leaving this week’s Great British Baking Show.
— Pat Sajak (@patsajak) November 14, 2019
Sajak is a longtime Capitals’ season-ticket holder who has homes on each coast. The host infrequently shows up to both Caps and Kings games and Capitals special events. During the 2018 Stanley Cup Final, Sajak announced the starting lineups between the Capitals and Golden Knights.
Sajak has two children, a son Patrick, 29, and Maggie, 25. He’s been married to Lesly Sajak, a photographer, since 1989.
Wheel of Fortune without @patsajak is like a word without vowels. I’ll fill in the blanks until you return. Rest up and we’ll be solving puzzles in no time. (Don’t worry, your job is safe! Well, pretty safe.) pic.twitter.com/pqUG3J3peH
— Vanna White (@TheVannaWhite) November 12, 2019
Full RMNB Coverage of Caps vs Lightning
Headline photo: NBC Sports Washington
