I think I am very mainstream - I'm committed to good works in my life.

The announcement signaled a generational shift in the evening news broadcasts and the beginning of what the media would deem the "Big Three" era of Jennings Dan Rather of CBS and Tom Brokaw of NBC. "Yes I was a smoker until about 20 years ago and I was weak and I smoked over 9/11. could you imagine if I had failed?" he asked.

Jennings was also known for his marathon coverage of breaking news stories staying on the air for 15 or more hours straight to anchor the live broadcast of events such as the outbreak of the Gulf War in 1991 the Millennium celebrations in 2000 and the September 11 attacks in 2001. In 1965 ABC News tapped him to anchor its flagship evening news program. His inexperience was attacked by critics and others in television news making for a difficult first stint in the anchor chair.