Jim Donovan, ‘Voice of the Cleveland Browns,’ passes away at 68

In a letter Donovan penned to Browns fans at the end of the 2024 preseason, Donovan announced he was stepping away from the Browns Radio Network to focus on his battle with cancer, which had returned and in an aggressive manner. Donovan was inducted into the 2024 Class of Browns Legends on Sept. 22, alongside K Phil Dawson, who personally notified Donovan of the news shortly before the ceremony. Donovan’s daughter, Meghan, accepted the Browns Legends jacket on behalf of Donovan during the ceremony.

“He kept it real, but he kept a positive tone to it,” Dawson said of Donovan’s calls. “He just always could find that balance – authentic, real, accurate, but he was still supportive, even when there wasn’t a whole lot to support. And I know the players appreciated that. I know I certainly appreciated that. He was always quick to try to provide context, rather than letting people just focus on an individual moment. He just really had a knack for seeing the big picture. It was always ‘Go Browns,’ yet he kept it real and accurate, so that everybody understood what was going on.”

Donovan was first diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia in 2000, which began over a decade-long battle with the disease. He underwent a successful bone marrow transplant in the summer of 2011 and monitored the disease in the years following. Donovan announced in May 2023 that he had a relapse of the leukemia and would undergo a more aggressive treatment.

In September during the 2023 season opener against the Bengals, Donovan announced he would take a medical leave of absence from the Browns Radio Network as he continued his treatment of leukemia. He listened to all of the Browns games and followed the team as they endured the ups and downs of 2023.

He returned to the radio booth in November for Week 11 of the 2023 season, when he also served as Dawg Pound Captain and smashed a Steelers’ themed guitar before kickoff. As he stepped out of the tunnel and in front of the crowd, Donovan broke out in a smile as now-Huntington Bank Field erupted in cheers and applause. Minutes after smashing the guitar, Donovan was up in the radio booth with his headset on, calling the Browns’ 13-10 victory over the Steelers.

Donovan announced his retirement from WKYC on May 30, 2024. He worked his final broadcast as a sports anchor on June 10.