Fred Kalil, sports announcer at 11 Alive, announced this week that he is stepping down from the anchor chair after 22 years.
Kalil had a cyst removed from his brain in 2000 that required extensive rehabilitation. On air, he said recently he was having trouble reading the teleprompter and felt it was time to stop anchoring. He will continue to do stories for the NBC affiliate.
Anchor Brenda Wood of 11 Alive said on air: “He’s talented. He’s smart. He’s witty… He’s a fighter, a gritty fighter and a tender soul, like a great big teddy bear.”
