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Live From Studio 1A: Matt and the WristStrong Bracelet

Posted: Friday, August 24, 2007 10:20 AM by Dan Fleschner
Filed Under:

Last week on "The Colbert Report," Stephen Colbert and Brian Williams of NBC Nightly News discussed Colbert's broken left wrist and his WristStrong campaign (think of the LiveStrong bracelets, only for wrist injuries). As Colbert put it, "Hey, Nation! Don't let the severity of wrist injuries go unrecognized!" WATCH VIDEO


Dan Fleschner / NBC News

On the show, Brian promised to give a WristStrong bracelet to Matt Lauer and said he would get Matt to wear it while anchoring the next day's edition of TODAY. But last week, Matt was on vacation and David Gregory was filling in.

So on Wednesday night, Colbert questioned whether Brian had ever given Matt the bracelet -- and asked the musical question, "Where in the world is Matt Lauer's WristStrong bracelet?"

Well, I'm happy to report that this morning Matt was sporting the bracelet. WATCH VIDEO


Dan Fleschner / NBC News

Of Colbert, Matt said to me, "We're kindred spirits. He broke his wrist, and I had wrist surgery last year. So I'm just lending my support to the cause."

The bracelets are available on the ColbertNation website, and proceeds from the sales go to the Yellow Ribbon Fund, which helps injured service members and their families.

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Nicely done, Matt! Part our your appeal is your natural ability to "get the joke"-- the quick wit and good nature  your portray everyday is what sets you apart from your competitors!

Leslie, Portland Maine (Sent Friday, August 24, 2007 11:05 AM)

Matt, You are way cool with the bracelet. Even as we 'speak', you are setting a fashion trend.

Pat West, Checotah, OK (Sent Friday, August 24, 2007 11:30 AM)

I want a "Matt Lauer-STRONG" bracelet. Where can I get one of those???

Rachel, Seattle, Wash (Sent Friday, August 24, 2007 2:13 PM)

....you deserve nothing but the best out of your life, not often we get to see people on tv who aren't phony and scripted.  you get it, and, you enjoy it along the way.  now all you need to do is go visit stephen.  you could become the next giant head!!!!

sharon (Sent Friday, August 24, 2007 2:49 PM)

Matt you're almost as cool as Colbert, which means you rank really high in my book!

AJ (Sent Friday, August 24, 2007 3:20 PM)

Way to go, Matt!  Stay grounded, and thanks for helping raise wrist awareness!

Mike Hagmaier, Half Moon Bay, CA (Sent Friday, August 24, 2007 3:40 PM)

Wrist injuries are a bummer.  I had a bad fall and hurt both of my wrists.  I live alone and suffered terribly.  I couldn't brush my teeth or dress my self.  I wore sweat pants and laid on my couch for several weeks.  My car is a stick shift so I couldn't drive.  After all the food in the cupboards was gone I ordered pizzas to survive.  

Ron Roberts HB Calif (Sent Friday, August 24, 2007 3:41 PM)

Matt,
You are just too cool. I think red goes with everything; definitely a trend setter.

mikki, richmond, ky (Sent Friday, August 24, 2007 3:46 PM)

Matt's so hottt he can rock any bracelet!!!

Ray NY NY (Sent Friday, August 24, 2007 3:57 PM)

What about those of us without wrists? I feel discriminated against! Wait a minute . . . how am I typing this?! Best not to think about it.

Oh, yeah. Dig the bracelet.

Stumpy McHam (Sent Friday, August 24, 2007 4:00 PM)

Alright, Matt, way to go.  Sticking it to the man?????????????/

Adam Michelsen/ Hotlanta, Jawja (Sent Friday, August 24, 2007 4:24 PM)

Matt is everything I hope my similarly-aged sons are.  Too bad for me I'm too old for Matt...and I never was pretty enough.  

Kay Butler, Tempe, Arizona (Sent Friday, August 24, 2007 5:12 PM)

Hey, even if it is for a joke, it's also for a good cause.  Colbert is donating proceeds to a charity to help out the families of injured military members.

Colbert is also auctioning his cast off on ebay.  It's been signed by many members of the media.

Josh S, Bensalem, PA (Sent Friday, August 24, 2007 5:20 PM)

It's for a good cause too...all the proceeds from the bracelets go to soldiers at Walter Reed, and I presume to more injured body parts than just wrists. Kudos to Matt for getting the joke and running with it, and kudos to Colbert for using his ability to make anything 'cool' to help injured soldiers.

Joe C, 29 Palms, CA (Sent Friday, August 24, 2007 5:35 PM)

Matt, you are so completely awesome, kudos to you for wearing the bracelet.

D. Meyer, Chicago, IL (Sent Friday, August 24, 2007 6:50 PM)

YOU ARE TOOOOOOOOOOO FUNNY. GO MATT. GO MATT

CARMEN LABOY (Sent Friday, August 24, 2007 6:56 PM)

Matt, take another step by anticipating the Christmas season. (Yes, got two catalogs in the mail that already had goodies). The red Wriststrong bracelet would look great with green one  from savedarfur.org

Ileana Liel, Riverside, CA (Sent Friday, August 24, 2007 7:28 PM)

Nice bracelet - and a good cause that raises money for injured service men and women.  How about a yellow LIVESTRONG bracelet for the other wrist?  Curing cancer is a great cause too.  Especially since I was just diagnosed with skin cancer this week.

Rich Russo, Katy, Texas (Sent Friday, August 24, 2007 8:45 PM)

Good for you, Matt and Brian, for going along with the bit.  It's fun being on "wrist watch" to see where the bracelet shows up next, and the proceeds go to a good cause.  

Diane, Jefferson, Wisconsin (Sent Saturday, August 25, 2007 12:01 AM)

Thanks for each time you will try anything within reason and appropriate for the today show.  Since I retired I've watch the show each weekend.  Good luck for many years to come.  Dimples

Dimples, monterey CA 93940 (Sent Saturday, August 25, 2007 12:35 AM)

Love the WristStrong bracelet Matt!  The Colbert Nation will be proud.

Jennifer, Ocean Springs, MS (Sent Saturday, August 25, 2007 12:49 AM)

Great stuff Matt!! Way to go along with the Colbert man. Excellent cause for everyone to support. Take a look at mymangosteen.com/fine to help ourselves.

S. Fine Redondo beach, Ca (Sent Saturday, August 25, 2007 12:00 PM)

Matt, I am a better person for knowing you (well actually watching you on TV.  Stay Strong.

Torie Lou, Desloge, MO (Sent Sunday, August 26, 2007 2:47 AM)

Matt, as I understand it, you are to give your bracelet to someone more famous than you,  Hmmm, gonna be hard to do but, you can encourage others to purchase and wear the bracelet.  Start with our president.

Dennis, Phoenix, Or (Sent Sunday, August 26, 2007 12:32 PM)

Just one more thing that makes me love you,

D.Carey, Dover, DE (Sent Sunday, August 26, 2007 4:17 PM)

Way to go, Matt.  My son, at 11-years old, had broken, yes broken, both wrists within one week of each other.  How awful it was for him in school.  I will be buying a few bracelets as I also have a nephew who was wounded in Afghanistan.  He is home now but has very little use of his right arm.  Thanx for all you do.  Rozie, MA.

Jena, Wareham, MA (Sent Sunday, August 26, 2007 5:07 PM)

you brought me back from GMA to the Today show by wearing that braclet, good job Matt, you hottie you!!

deanna feringa, grand rapids michigan (Sent Monday, August 27, 2007 12:32 AM)

What a great sport Matt!!! A great example of good-naturedness for all of us to follow.

I'm sure I'm one of your biggest fans - converted all by building to "Today Show" watchers . . .we all love you & Meredith . . . .I'm sad when you're gone.

Jodie Smith (Sent Monday, August 27, 2007 3:27 PM)

How fun is the whole situation - kudo to you, Matt, for taking the moment when it came.  You are a gem!  I love your spontaneous humor; it can't be beat.  You do it all - anchor with class, provide a good role model as a father, and welcome all to the show no matter who they are.  Wouldn't miss you for anything :)

Connie Dodd, Orchard Park, NY (Sent Monday, August 27, 2007 3:32 PM)



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