For 25 years, since the team returned in 1999, the mark of a true Cleveland Browns fan was watching the game with the television volume turned down and the radio turned up.
That’s because no touchdown, sack or game-winning field goal was complete without hearing it called by Jim Donovan, the voice of the Cleveland Browns.
Donovan, who was a fixture on Cleveland’s WKYC since joining the station in 1985, died Saturday after a long battle with cancer. He was 68 years old.
Related: "This One's For You Jim Donovan!" Watch The Emotional Browns-Ravens Victory Call
The 40-year news and sports anchor had fought leukemia since 2000, but kept his diagnosis quiet for more than a decade. He’d beat the illness, but when it returned in 2023, he took a hiatus. Despite finishing the 2023 season on the radio airwaves,
Donovan retired from the station in May and stepped down as the radio voice of the Cleveland Browns just before the season.
His legacy, which is being celebrated both locally and nationally, is of a kind and passionate mentor and a guiding light to Cleveland Browns fans through the ups and downs.
His most recent co-host Nathan Zegura wrote in a post on the social media platform X that Donovan was a mentor, hero and friend.
"It was an absolute honor and privilege to get to know him, to get to work with him, to get to laugh with him and to even cry with him," wrote Zegura. "He will always be the voice of the Browns and I will always be grateful for the time we had together. I love you Jim Donovan and everytime I call a game, the only thing missing will be YOU."
Betsy Kling, another longtime member of the WKYC team, shared fond memories and photos on Instagram, while fellow WKYC anchor Jay Crawford joined those of us who believe Donovan is the best to ever do it.
"Whether you were a listener, a viewer or lucky enough to actually know Jim Donovan we all have memories to take the sting out of today’s news of his passing," Kling wrote. "He made us laugh like you can’t believe. He comforted us thru losses and celebrated the wins with us. He loved Cleveland .. the people, the places and the stories. More than anything, he loved Cheryl and Meghan with a passion that is unmatched. Jimmy Donovan is a legend and will be missed so very much."
"Simply put, Jim Donovan was the best local sportscaster I have ever seen," wrote Crawford. "I felt that when I first saw him in 1986 and I came to know that when I finally had the opportunity to work with him. He was easily the single greatest inspiration of my career. Rest In Peace my friend."
Local media staples Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com,
Ken Carman of 92.3 FM and John Telich of Fox 8 shared notes on X.
“Our fanbase…our world will miss Jim Donovan,” wrote Carman.
“Heartbroken over the passing of Jim Donovan,” wrote Cabot. “We all loved him so much. RIP Jimmy!”
"His play by play of the browns second to none just as good as there's ever been to do the job," said Telich in a video. "And passion. Jimmy always brought passion."
A number of players mentioned Donovan after the game, and legendary Browns offensive tackle Joe Thomas shared a few notes on X.
"The best in the business was quite literally the voice of Cleveland fans since the team returned in 1999," wrote Thomas, "and for those of us that were lucky enough to get to work with him on a daily basis, you realized that as great of a play-by-play guy as he was, he was an even more wonderful human being."
It’s no secret that being a Browns fan has not been easy. There have been few high notes. But Donovan has given us so many great moments.
On Dec. 29, 2023, in the same season cancer forced Donovan to miss several games, the Cleveland
Browns — despite cycling through a handful of quarterbacks — clinched a playoff win over the New York Jets, led by quarterback Joe Flacco of all people. It would be one of only three playoff games that Donovan would see since the
team returned.
“The post season is back in Cleveland!” he exclaimed, looking at his co-host in disbelief. The most recent time he’d made that call was in 2020, when the stadium was half-empty due to COVID restrictions. That time, he said, “The only thing that’s missing is all of you!” Then, as his words ring out over the PA system in the roaring stadium, he says “they’re playing my call” with a sense of wonder on his face like it was the first time.
Clearly, his love for the work remained through the end. Fans trusted him because he shared their passion. In tumultuous times as a Browns fans, the loss of his voice stings even worse.
Perhaps Donovan’s most triumphant moment was the Dec. 18 game against the Chicago Bears. It was Donovan’s first game back after missing most of the season for cancer treatment. The Browns were in disarray, but somehow fighting for a playoff spot. In the waning seconds of the game, defensive back D’Anthony Bell intercepted a hail mary to seal a Week 11 win and keep the Browns’ postseason alive.
“He got it! Ballgame over! Browns win! Browns win!” Donovan screamed, as the man battling cancer jumped up and down with his arms in the air.
“This is an unbelievable ride!”
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