Jim Donovan, the cherished radio play-by-play announcer for the Cleveland Browns and a prominent figure in sports broadcasting for over four decades, passed away on Saturday at the age of 68.
Earlier this year, Donovan announced his retirement amidst his ongoing battle with cancer, stepping away from his game-day responsibilities with the team before the current season. He officially retired from WKYC on May 30 and completed his last broadcast on June 10. Donovan had been the voice of the Browns since the team’s return in 1999 after their expansion.
Browns owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam expressed their sorrow in a statement, saying, “This is an incredibly difficult day for us and the entire Cleveland Browns organization. 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.”
Known affectionately as “Jimmy,” Donovan captivated Cleveland fans with his enthusiasm, humor, and professionalism. He was meticulous in his preparation for broadcasts, dedicating countless hours to ensure every detail was covered.
Recently, Donovan was honored with induction into the Browns’ Legends Club and the Greater Cleveland Sports Hall of Fame, although he was unable to attend due to illness.
Upon his departure from the Browns in August, Donovan expressed his gratitude in a letter to fans, stating, “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.’ 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.”
Donovan had previously taken a leave of absence from his role as sports director at WKYC-TV for several months to receive treatment for leukemia but returned in time to call the Browns’ late-season push for the playoffs.
Diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia in 2000, Donovan underwent bone marrow surgery in 2011. A Boston University graduate, he joined Cleveland’s broadcasting scene in 1985. In addition to covering the city’s three major sports teams, Donovan contributed to various national network assignments, including NBC’s coverage of the 1992 and 1996 Summer Olympics.