TV Producer Fired After Calling Tom Brady a ‘Known Cheater’ in Graphic

A local-news producer in Pittsburgh was fired after he aired a chyron that called New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady a “known cheater,” the PhillyVoice reports. CBS affiliate KDKA reportedly fired producer Michael Talek for the graphic on Monday. “While fans are entitled to have personal opinions, we have a journalistic responsibility to provide unbiased reporting,” KDKA said in a statement to Sports Illustrated. “The graphic that appeared Monday violated our news standards. The individual who created the graphic no longer works for KDKA-TV.” Since his firing, Talek’s friend set up a GoFundMe to help him make ends meet. “Hi there, I got fired for this joke. I just bought a house so that is putting a pinch on things,” Talek wrote in a tweet. “Once I land a job there will be a GOAT Giveaway where I will donate the money to charity in Tom Brady’s name.” So far, the page has raised over $500. “Did [Talek’s stunt] bring you joy?” the campaign donation page asks. “Of course it did.”