His reflective interview was aired on "CBS Sunday Morning," just days before the premiere of a Netflix documentary chronicling the life of the 92-year-old journalist.
Rather's illustrious career at CBS spanned 44 years, 24 of which he spent as the anchor of the "CBS Evening News." His tenure ended in controversy following a flawed investigation into then-President George W. Bush's military record. Rather bid farewell as anchor on March 9, 2005, and formally left the network when his contract concluded 15 months later.
The fallout from the investigation and his strained relationship with the then CBS chief Leslie Moonves, who has since been ousted, led to Rather's virtual erasure from the news division he had once dominated.
"I miss CBS without apology or explanation," Rather confessed to correspondent Lee Cowan in the Sunday interview. "I've missed it since the day I left."
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Although Rather was not officially blamed for the report that scrutinized Bush's National Guard service during the Vietnam War, he became synonymous with it as the anchor who presented it. CBS was unable to authenticate some of the documents the report relied on, but many of those involved in the story maintain its veracity.
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In the upcoming Netflix documentary titled "Rather," the veteran newsman expressed his belief that he would weather the storm. However, his wife, Jean, had a different perspective, telling him, "You got into a fight with the president of the United States during his reelection campaign. What did you think was going to happen?"
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Rather's departure from CBS did not mark the end of his career. He continued to pursue investigative journalism and conduct interviews with rock stars for HDNet, a digital cable and satellite television network. In recent years, he has gained recognition among a younger audience for his candid commentary on social media.
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During former President Trump's hush money trial last week, Rather posted on X, "Is it just me or did today seem sleazy even for Donald Trump?"
"You either get engaged and you get engaged in the new terms … or you're out of the game," Rather stated in the CBS interview, which was filmed at his home in Texas. "And I wanted to stay in the game."
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The Netflix documentary provides an overview of Rather's career, from his coverage of President John F. Kennedy's assassination, the Vietnam War, and Watergate, to his years as an anchor and beyond. It also highlights some of the more unusual incidents involving Rather, including an assault in New York City by an individual uttering, "What's the frequency, Kenneth," and his subsequent appearance onstage with R.E.M. when the band performed a song with the same title.
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When asked about his legacy in both the documentary and the CBS interview, Rather shifted the focus away from his career.
"In the end, whatever remains of one's life — family, friends — those are going to be the things for which you're remembered," he said.
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