Craig Melvin Fights Back Tears as He Reveals Why He Missed Today

Craig Melvin became emotional during Friday’s Today broadcast as he opened up about a special honour that took him away from the NBC morning show earlier in the week.

The presenter was absent from Thursday’s programme, where Willie Geist stepped in alongside Savannah Guthrie. Neither host explained the sudden change at the time, leaving viewers without an immediate answer.

When Craig returned to the studio on Friday, his third-hour co-host Dylan Dreyer revealed that his absence was linked to a meaningful event in his hometown of Columbia, South Carolina.

Craig Melvin Honoured for His Impact on Columbia

Dylan began by celebrating Craig’s connection to his hometown, explaining that his pride in Columbia had not gone unnoticed.

She revealed that Craig had received the Ripples of Impact medal, a new award introduced by the city’s mayor to recognise people whose leadership and commitment have made a difference in the community.

Dylan described the recognition as a significant achievement, praising Craig for consistently highlighting South Carolina and using his platform to represent the place where he grew up.

The tribute appeared to leave Craig choked up. However, rather than focusing solely on his own achievement, he spoke warmly about the other people honoured at the ceremony.

“Being honored, of course, it’s nice, but it was the group I was honored with,” he said.

Among the recipients was A’ja Wilson, the Las Vegas Aces basketball star, who was unable to attend because she was competing in the playoffs.

Craig also reflected on meeting people he had admired while growing up in Columbia, including one of the community’s first Jewish businessmen.

For the television presenter, the occasion was about more than receiving a medal. It gave him the chance to reconnect with the people who had helped shape his life and career.

“The people who sort of shaped me and molded me, they were all there, and it was nice,” he said, once again expressing his gratitude to the city.

Why Craig Took a Day Away From Today

The ceremony took place on Wednesday, allowing Craig to attend in person before missing Thursday’s broadcast.

Speaking to local news outlet WIS News 10, where he had previously worked, Craig explained why being there mattered so much to him.

He said he was honoured to receive the award but also wanted to thank the people who had supported him throughout his journey. Among those present were his first news director and Columbia Mayor Daniel Rickenmann, whom he said he had known for 20 years.

Other honourees included Isadore Lourie, Charity Adams Earley, The Darnall W. and Susan F. Boyd Foundation, Rev. Dr. Simon P. Bouie, William Tobin “Bill” Cassels, Jr., and South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster.

Craig later shared several photographs from the celebration on Instagram on Friday, reflecting on what his hometown meant to him.

He wrote that he had always been proud to call Columbia home and that the week’s events had reminded him how much the community meant to him. He also expressed his gratitude for the recognition.

Craig Melvin’s Journey on Today

Craig joined the Today franchise in 2015 as a co-anchor on Weekend Today. He later became a weekday news anchor on the main programme and a co-host of its third hour.

In January 2025, he was promoted to co-anchor of the first and second hours of Today, joining Savannah Guthrie following Hoda Kotb’s departure.

His latest recognition in Columbia offered a personal moment away from the news desk, bringing him back to the community and the people he credits with helping him along the way.