CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – Jim Donovan, the longtime voice of the Cleveland Browns, has passed away at the age of 68 after a battle with leukemia, according to a press release from the Browns.

“This is an incredibly difficult day for us and the entire Cleveland Browns organization,” said Cleveland Browns Managing and Principal Partners Dee and Jimmy Haslam. “We are deeply saddened by the loss of Jim Donovan. His impact as the Voice of the Browns for 25 years is immeasurable as he touched the lives of our fans every Sunday with his love for the Browns and the brilliance of his craft.”

“We will miss him greatly, but he solidified a legacy that will live on forever. The only thing that outweighed his love for this city and this team was his love for his family. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Cheryl, his daughter, Meghan, and anyone lucky enough to call Jimmy family or friends.”

Donovan was first named radio’s “Voice of the Cleveland Browns” when the franchise returned in 1999, wrapping up its 25th season in 2023. Throughout his storied career, Donovan made career-highlighting and lastingly memorable autograph calls. In Brown’s knowledge. From the “Run, William, run” call in 2002 — a reference to RB William Green’s 64-yard touchdown run in the playoff-clinching win over the Falcons — to “Is this what it feels like?” From his call when the Browns defeated the Jets in Week 3 of the 2018 season (the team’s first victory in 635 days), Donovan’s calls are embedded in countless moments of the last generation of Browns history.

Donovan’s calls told the Browns’ story and resulted in a playoff berth against the Jets on Thursday Night Football in 2023. As the final seconds ticked by, Donovan said, “That’s it! The Browns are headed to the playoffs! The postseason is back in Cleveland!

Donovan announced in a letter to Browns fans at the end of the 2024 preseason that he was stepping away from the Browns Radio Network to focus on his battle with cancer, which had aggressively returned. Donovan was inducted into the Browns Legends Class of 2024 on September 22, along with K Phil Dawson, who personally broke the news to Donovan shortly before the ceremony. At the ceremony, Donovan’s daughter Meghan accepted the Browns Legends jacket on behalf of Donovan.

“He kept it factual but used a positive tone,” Dawson said of Donovan’s calls. “He was always able to find that balance; authentic, real, true, but still supportive even when there wasn’t much to support. I know the players appreciate it too. I know I definitely appreciate that. He was always quick to try to provide context rather than just letting people focus on an individual moment. He really had a gift for seeing the big picture. “It was always ‘Go Browns,’ but he kept it real and true so everyone knew what was going on.”

Donovan was first diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia in 2000, beginning a decade-long battle with the disease. He underwent a successful bone marrow transplant in the summer of 2011 and was plagued by the disease in the following years. Donovan announced in May 2023 that his leukemia had relapsed and that he would receive more aggressive treatment.

During the 2023 season opener against the Bengals in September, Donovan announced from the Browns Radio Network that he would be taking a medical leave of absence while he continued treatment for leukemia. He listened to every Browns game and followed the team through the ups and downs in 2023.

He returned to the radio booth for Week 11 of the 2023 season in November, where he also served as Dawg Pound Captain and smashed a Steelers-themed guitar before kickoff. Stepping out of the tunnel and in front of the crowd, Donovan smiled as what is now Huntington Bank Field exploded with cheers and applause. Moments after shredding the guitar, Donovan was in the radio booth with his headphones on, covering the Browns’ 13-10 victory over the Steelers.

Donovan announced his retirement from WKYC on May 30, 2024. He made his last broadcast as a sports announcer on June 10.

Originally born in Boston, Massachusetts, Donovan discovered his dream of becoming a sports broadcaster. Growing up, he would turn the TV volume down and practice playing games by watching the broadcast.

Donovan graduated from Boston University in 1978 and began his career in St. Cloud has pursued his dream since he started as sports director at WJON radio in Minnesota. Donovan first joined 3News in 1985 as a weekend sports anchor. He became the weekday sports anchor in 1986 — a position he held until his retirement in 2024 — and was a fixture as both a sports and news anchor throughout his 39-year career at WKYC.

Donovan also had numerous national roles, including play-by-play on NBC Sports’ NFL broadcast from 1987-97, swimming and play-by-play at the 1992 and 1996 Summer Olympics, and World Cup Soccer in 1994.

Donovan served as play-by-play announcer from 2006-08 when WKYC acquired local, live television rights to what is now the Cleveland Guardians. He later expanded his duties at WKYC in 2012, becoming the anchor of Channel 3’s Front Row 7 p.m. news program, while also continuing his duties as a sports anchor.

Donovan has won numerous awards throughout his career, including three Lower Great Lakes Emmy Awards, the Cleveland Press Club All-Ohio Outstanding Sportscaster, the Cleveland Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame, the Cleveland Press Club Journalism Hall of Fame, and the 2016 Cleveland Sports Awards Lifetime Achievement. Prize.

Arrangements to celebrate Jim’s life are still being finalized.

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