The Cleveland Browns community is mourning the death of a franchise icon with legendary radio announcer Jim Donovan having passed away at the age of 68.
Donovan’s death comes nearly two months after he first announced he’d be retiring from his role in the Browns’ radio booth due to focus on his health issues. He had retired from his role as the sports director and anchor at Cleveland’s NBC affiliate, WKYC, earlier this year but had initially planned to remain the Browns’ radio voice for the 2024 season.
We are heartbroken that Jim Donovan, the Voice of the Browns, has passed away.
Jim provided so much joy and love to this city. His steady presence on the radio for Browns games and on television for nightly news made it feel like he was an extended family member for all those… pic.twitter.com/ASYOzIKK7G
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) October 26, 2024
A native of Boston, Mass., Donovan’s broadcasting career began with stints in Minnesota and Vermont before he arrived at WKYC in 1985. In addition to his duties at the local Cleveland television station, he also called NFL games for NBC Sports and soccer in the 1992 and 1996 Summer Olympics, as well as the 1994 World Cup.
Donovan, however, is best known for his time as the radio voice of the Browns, a post he had held since the franchise’s return to the NFL in 1999 until his retirement this past August. Despite the team’s lackluster record during his time in the booth, the Boston University alum became a fan favorite thanks to his unrelenting enthusiasm, brutal honesty and signature calls like “run, William, run!”
In 2011, Donovan revealed that he had been battling leukemia and would be taking a leave of absence from WKYC to undergo a bone marrow transplant. He returned to television later that year while also remaining the Browns’ radio voice, before announcing in the spring of 2023 that his cancer had relapsed.
Donovan stepped away from the Browns’ radio booth following the team’s 2023 season opener to focus on his health before returning later that season, earning a game ball from head coach Kevin Stefanski for his efforts. He underwent what he believed to be his final cancer treatment this past February, before the cancer returned earlier this year.
In September, the Browns inducted Donovan into their Legends class. He is survived by his wife Cheryl and daughter Meghan.
About Ben Axelrod
Ben Axelrod is a veteran of the sports media landscape, having most recently worked for NBC's Cleveland affiliate, WKYC. Prior to his time in Cleveland, he covered Ohio State football and the Big Ten for outlets including Cox Media Group, Bleacher Report, Scout and Rivals.