Jim Donovan, the longtime radio play-by-play announcer for the Cleveland Browns and a fixture on TV sports broadcasts for over four decades, passed away at the age of 68. He retired from broadcasting earlier in the year and stopped his game-day duties with the team due to battling cancer. Donovan had been with the Browns since the team’s expansion in 1999.
During his time as the Voice of the Browns, Donovan was known for his passion, sense of humor, and professionalism. He was meticulous in his preparations for game broadcasts and had recently been inducted into the Browns’ Legends Club and the Greater Cleveland Sports Hall of Fame. Despite being too ill to attend these events, Donovan expressed his gratitude for the support of Browns fans in a letter when he was forced to step down.
Donovan’s love for the city of Cleveland and the Browns was only surpassed by his love for his family. Browns owners, Dee and Jimmy Haslam, expressed their sorrow at his passing, calling it a difficult day for the organization and fans. They praised Donovan for his impact as the Voice of the Browns and the legacy he leaves behind. The Haslams extended their thoughts and prayers to Donovan’s wife, Cheryl, his daughter, Meghan, and all those who considered him a friend or family.
Throughout his career, Donovan had battled chronic lymphocytic leukemia, undergoing treatment and surgeries to manage the disease. He had to step down as sports director at WKYC-TV last fall for a period to focus on his health but returned to the broadcast booth in time for the team’s playoff run. Donovan had also covered national events, such as the Summer Olympics, as part of NBC’s broadcast team in 1992 and 1996.
As a Boston native who moved to Cleveland in 1985 to begin his career in sports broadcasting, Donovan became a beloved figure in the city. His dedication to the Browns and the fans was evident in his work, and he was known for his warm and engaging personality on and off the air. Donovan’s impact on the sports community in Cleveland and beyond will be remembered and cherished by all who had the pleasure of listening to him.
