Jim Donovan, Cleveland Browns announcer and television sports host, dies of cancer at age 68

CLEVELAND – Jim Donovan, the beloved radio play-by-play announcer for the Cleveland Browns and a fixture on sports television for more than four decades, died Saturday. He was 68 years old.

Donovan retired from his television career earlier this year and stepped away from his game-day duties with the team before this season while battling cancer. He had called Cleveland games since the team’s expansion revival in 1999.

“This is an incredibly difficult day for us and the entire Cleveland Browns organization,” said Browns owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam. “His impact as the Voice of the Browns for 25 years is immeasurable, as he touched the lives of our fans each and every time.” 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 last 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 lucky enough to call Jimmy family or friend.”

A Boston native, known to all as “Jimmy,” Donovan endeared himself to Cleveland fans with his passion, sense of humor and professionalism. He was a stickler for details and spent countless hours preparing for game broadcasts.

Donovan had recently been inducted into the Browns’ Legends Club and the Greater Cleveland Sports Hall of Fame. He had been too ill to attend the events.

When he was forced to resign in August, Donovan wrote a letter to Browns fans expressing his gratitude for their support.

“I’ve called Browns games for 25 years. “There hasn’t been a day that I haven’t paused and felt so proud to be ‘The Voice of the Browns,'” he wrote. “Cheryl, Meghan and I thank you for all the love, support and prayers during my difficult times. It’s like having a big family around us. And that’s what makes the Cleveland Browns so special. You do.”

Donovan had to leave his position as sports director at WKYC-TV last fall for several months to undergo treatment for leukemia. He returned to the broadcast booth in time to announce the team’s run to the playoffs at the end of the season.

He was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia in 2000 and underwent a bone marrow transplant in 2011.

Donovan, a graduate of Boston University, came to Cleveland in 1985. In addition to doing local reporting on the city’s three professional sports franchises, Donovan also had several national network assignments and was part of NBC’s coverage team at the Games. 1992 and 1996 Summer Olympics.