The Mystery of Buck Lanford’s Absence: Why Isn’t He on FOX 5 Atlanta Today?

Buck Lanford, a cherished anchor of FOX 5 Atlanta’s “Good Day Atlanta,” has been noticeably absent from the morning show, prompting viewers to inquire about his whereabouts. Lanford is currently on a medical hiatus, recovering from surgery to address an old football injury.

On January 10, 2024, Lanford took to Facebook to inform his audience about his condition:

“Thank you to everyone who has expressed concern about my absence on Good Day Atlanta. Wanted to let you know that I had a long overdue procedure to repair an old football injury suffered many, many moons ago. I’m on the mend and doing as well as could be expected.”

He also expressed gratitude towards his colleague, Eric Perry, for stepping in during his recovery:

“Thank you to Eric Perry FOX 5 for doing a great job while I recover, and I look forward to getting back to doing what I do best… running my mouth and filling it with delicious burgers… as soon as humanly possible.”

A FOX 5 spokeswoman indicated that Lanford’s recovery might keep him off the air for approximately six weeks.

Fans have been vocal in their support, flooding Lanford’s social media with well-wishes:

“God bless you with a continued good, speedy and painless recovery. You are missed!”

“Get well soon Buck!”

“I’m so glad you’re ok. I was worried about you. I was fixing to ask you why you weren’t on Good Day Atlanta. Wishing you a quick recovery.”

“Praying for a speedy recovery! Get well soon! 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻”

“Glad you’re ok, I was worried. I watch y’all every day and enjoy your TV news family. Speedy recovery 🙏”

Lanford’s journey with FOX 5 Atlanta began in 1998 after his tenure as the weekend sports anchor at WTOC in Savannah. Over the years, he has worn multiple hats at the station, from anchoring weekend sports to covering major events like the Super Bowl, World Series, The Masters, PGA Championship, Daytona 500, Final Four, heavyweight boxing matches, and the American Bowl in Tokyo. His dynamic reporting style once saw him delivering live reports while driving a race car and acting as the “runnercam” reporter for the Peachtree Road Race, where he provided live updates and interviews while running the 10K alongside 50,000 participants.

Beyond his anchoring duties, Lanford hosts the weekly segment “Burgers With Buck,” where he collaborates with Atlanta’s top chefs, sampling and showcasing the city’s culinary delights. His contributions to journalism have been recognized with five Emmy Awards, including Best Sportscaster. Additionally, he received the Michael Schoenbrun National Media award from the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Lanford is also deeply involved in community initiatives, frequently speaking at civic events and emceeing the annual Gwinnett County Hall of Fame awards ceremony.

An Atlanta native, Lanford pursued studies in journalism and business management at Georgia State University, during which he interned at FOX 5. He graduated from South Gwinnett High School and continues to reside in Atlanta with his three children. Outside of his professional life, he enjoys traveling, playing golf, and surfing modest waves worldwide.

As Lanford recuperates, viewers eagerly await his return to “Good Day Atlanta,” looking forward to his signature blend of news delivery and engaging personality.

Why is Buck Lanford not on FOX 5 Atlanta today?

BUCK Lanford has built a successful, decades-long career at FOX 5 Atlanta.

Now, fans want to know why the beloved anchor is missing from Good Day Atlanta.

FOX 5 Atlanta host Buck Lanford is absent from Good Day AtlantaCredit: Facebook/Buck Lanford FOX 5

Why is Buck Lanford not on Good Day Atlanta today?

Buck Lanford has taken a break from Good Day Atlanta while he recovers from surgery due to a years-old football injury.

The popular anchor took to social media to address his health-related absence.

“Thank you to everyone who has expressed concern about my absence on Good Day Atlanta,” he wrote in a Facebook post on January 10, 2024.

“Wanted to let you know that I had a long overdue procedure to repair an old football injury suffered many, many moons ago. I’m on the mend and doing as well as could be expected,” he continued.

According to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, a FOX 5 spokeswoman said Lanford may be absent for about six weeks.

What have fans said about his absence?

Fans have taken to the comments section of Lanford’s Facebook post to send their well wishes.

“God bless you with a continued good, speedy and painless recovery. You are missed!” one fan wrote, in part.

“Get well soon Buck!” another said.

“I’m so glad your ok I was worried about you. I was fixing to ask you why you wasn’t on Good Day Atlanta,Wishing you a quick recovery,” a third commented.

“Praying for a speedy recovery! Get well soon! 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻,” a fourth fan wrote.

“Glad your ok, I was worried, I watch y’all everyday and enjoy your tv news family. Speedy recovery 🙏,” another commented.

When did Buck Lanford join FOX 5 Atlanta?

According to his page on the television station’s website, Lanford joined FOX 5 Atlanta in 1998.

He previously worked as the weekend sports anchor at WTOC in Savannah.

Buck Lanford has worked for FOX 5 Atlanta since 1998Credit: Facebook/Buck Lanford FOX 5
In addition to hosting Good Day Atlanta on weekday mornings, he hosts the weekly program, Burgers With Buck, in which he is joined by some of Atlanta’s best chefs, per his FOX 5 page.

“He has eaten and given the coveted BWB ‘thumbs up’ salute to hundreds of local restaurants … and counting,” it continues.

Lanford also worked as FOX 5’s weekend sports anchor and covered many big events, including the Super Bowl, the World Series, The Masters, the PGA Championship, the Daytona 500, the Final Four, heavyweight fights, and the American Bowl in Tokyo.

He “continues to be active in FOX 5’s High 5 Sports coverage,” his page states.

The accomplished anchor “once reported live while driving a race car” and served as the “runnercam” reporter for the Peachtree Road Race, which involved “delivering live reports and interviews while running the 10K with 50,000 other people.”

Lanford “is most proud” of his four-part TV series on the sport of wheelchair racing. He also competed in the 5K wheelchair race.

He has earned five Emmy Awards, including Best Sportscaster, and also received the Michael Schoenbrun National Media award from the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

He is “heavily involved in the community” and “speaks at various civic events.” He also emcees the yearly Gwinnett County Hall of Fame awards ceremony.

Lanford resides in his hometown of Atlanta and has three kids, according to his FOX 5 page.

He studied both journalism and business management at Georgia State University and even interned at FOX 5 while in college after graduating from South Gwinnett High School.

In addition to raising his children, he likes to travel, play “bad golf,” and surf “not-so-big waves all over the world.”