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    • Longtime Browns radio voice and beloved Cleveland sports figure Jim Donovan dies at 68
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    Longtime Browns radio voice and beloved Cleveland sports figure Jim Donovan dies at 68

    Harry Posted on

    CLEVELAND, OHIO - OCTOBER 01: A Cleveland Browns fan supports Browns radio announcer Jim Donovan, who is currently battling cancer, before the game against the Baltimore Ravens at Cleveland Browns Stadium on October 01, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio. opened a banner. . (Photo: Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images)

    A Cleveland Browns fan holds a sign supporting Browns radio announcer Jim Donovan. (Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images) (Diamond Images via Getty Images)

    for a long time Cleveland Browns Radio broadcaster and WKYC host Jim Donovan has died after battling cancer for decades. He was 68 years old.

    Donovan started playing games for the Browns in 1999, when the team resumed play in the NFL after a three-year hiatus. The Browns have unfortunately had 21 losing seasons in their 25 years on the bench.

    “Jim brought so much joy and love to this city,” the Browns said in a statement published on social media. “His constant presence on the radio for Browns games and on television for the nightly news made him feel like an extended family member to everyone who watched him. His autograph calls will forever be included in Browns history.”

    For many fans, Donovan’s most famous speech came during the Browns’ matchup with the team. Atlanta Falcons December 29, 2002. Cleveland needed to win to make the playoffs. Leading 17-16 with four minutes remaining, rookie running back William Green ran 64 yards to clinch the victory. Donovan’s “Run, William, Run!” it has lived on in Brown’s lore ever since.

    “The amazing thing about the whole game is, on a hot July day in training camp, people will come up to you and say, ‘Run, William, Run call, that was the greatest call I’ve ever seen.’ It’s among the highlights, and they put your call on it.” Donovan recalled in 2016. “That’s when you realize all the work you did for this was worth it.”

    Donovan was included in the 2024 Class of Browns Legends along with Phil Dawson in September. Donovan’s daughter Meghan accepted the Browns Legends jacket on behalf of her father, who retired from radio broadcasting and TV presenting earlier in the year to focus on his cancer treatments.

    Searched for three seasons cleveland baseball It aired on WKYC from 2006-08. Before joining the Browns, Donovan announced NFL games on NBC in addition to Olympic coverage during the 1992 and 1996 Summer Games. He also called World Cup football matches in 1994.

    “Jimmy lived to make plays. That was Jimmy’s life,” said former Browns player Doug Dieken, who provided analysis alongside Donovan. “He was a perfectionist. He would listen after the matches and criticize himself. I could never do that. I didn’t want to listen to myself.”

    “During games he would stand up and jump up and down like he had a snake in his pants,” Dieken added. via cleveland.com. “I was watching him and laughing… I forgot I was on the air with him… Then I said, ‘Doug, what about that play?’ ” he said.

    Harry
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