Jim Donovan, the longtime beloved radio play-by-play announcer for the Cleveland Browns, died Saturday at age 68 after a lengthy battle with cancer.
“This is an incredibly difficult day for us and the entire Cleveland Browns organization,” Browns owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam said in a statement. “His impact as the Voice of the Browns for 25 years is immeasurable as he touched the lives of our fans each and every Sunday with his love for the Browns and his brilliance at his craft.
“He will be greatly missed, but he cemented a legacy that will live on forever. The only thing that outweighed his love for this city and this team was the love he had for his family. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Cheryl, his daughter, Meghan, and everyone who was fortunate enough to call Jimmy family or friend.”
Donovan had already been in the Cleveland market as the sports director at WKYC-TV Channel 3 when he was chosen to be the radio broadcaster when the expansion franchise began play in 1999.
Donovan endeared himself to Cleveland sports fans with his infectious passion for the game and attention to detail, reportedly spending many hours preparing for each broadcast.
He was first diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia in 2000. He underwent a bone-marrow transplant in the summer of 2011. He took a medical leave at the beginning of the 2023 season to seek treatment for a return of the disease, getting back to the booth in November.
However, the leukemia returned this year, forcing Donovan to retire in August. At that time, he penned an open letter to Browns fans to show his appreciation for them.
“I have called Browns games for 25 years. Not a day has gone by when I haven’t paused and been so proud to be ‘The Voice of the Browns,'” Donovan wrote. “Cheryl, Meghan and I thank you for all the love, support and prayers during my rough patches. It’s like having a huge family around us. And that’s what makes the Cleveland Browns so special. You do.”
Although he was too ill to attend the events, Donovan was recently inducted into the Browns’ Legends Club and the Greater Cleveland Sports Hall of Fame.
A Boston native, he leaves behind his wife Cheryl and daughter Meghan.
–Field Level Media
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