Cleveland Browns radio announcer and longtime WKYC host Jim Donovan has died after battling cancer for decades. He was 68 years old.
Donovan began calling Browns games in 1999 when the team resumed play in the NFL after a three-year hiatus. Unfortunately, the Browns had 21 losing seasons in their 25 years in the booth.
We are heartbroken that Jim Donovan, the Voice of the Browns, has passed away.
Jim brought so much joy and love to this city. His constant presence on the radio for Browns games and on television for the nightly news made him feel like he was a member of the extended family to all those… pic.twitter.com/ASYOzIKK7G
—Cleveland Browns (@Browns) October 26, 2024
“Jim brought so much joy and love to this city,” the Browns said. in a statement posted on social media. “His constant presence on the radio during Browns games and on television for the nightly news made everyone who tuned in seem like he was a member of the extended family. His distinctive calls will forever be etched in game history. Browns.”
For many fans, Donovan’s most famous call was during the Browns’ matchup against the Atlanta Falcons on December 29, 2002. Cleveland had to win to make the playoffs. Leading 17-16 with four minutes left, rookie running back William Green ran 64 yards to score a touchdown and clinch the victory. “Run, William, run!” by Donovan. has continued to live in Browns tradition ever since.
“The most incredible part of that whole play is that you can be on the training ground on a scorching July day and people come up to you and say, ‘Run’s call, William, Run, that’s the best decision.’ when I saw ‘we highlight it and they ask you to do it'”. Donovan retired in 2016. “And that’s when you know that all the work you put in for this is worth it.”
Donovan was named to the Browns Legends Class of 2024 in September alongside kicker Phil Dawson. Donovan’s daughter, Meghan, accepted the Browns Legends jacket on behalf of her father, who retired from radio and television broadcasting earlier this year to focus on his cancer treatments.
For three seasons, he anchored Cleveland baseball broadcasts on WKYC from 2006 to 2008. Before joining the Browns, Donovan announced NFL games on NBC, in addition to Olympic coverage during the 1992 Summer Games and 1996. He also called matches for the 1994 World Cup.
“Jimmy lived to play games. That was Jimmy’s life,” said former Browns player Doug Dieken, who provided analysis alongside Donovan. “He was a perfectionist. Afterwards he would listen to the games, criticizing himself. I could never do that. I didn’t want to listen to myself.”
“During the games, he was on his feet, jumping around like he had a snake in his pants,” Dieken added. via Cleveland.com. “I’d look at him and laugh… I’d forget I was on the air with him… Then he’d say, ‘Doug, what’s up with that play?'”