Lake County Sentinel
Cleveland Sports Broadcasting Legend and "Voice of the Browns" Jim Donovan passes away at 68
Today, Jim Donovan, known to many as the "Voice of the Cleveland Browns" passed away after a long battle with chronic lymphocytic leukemia at the age of 68.
Jim Donovan's voice has been the only voice an entire generation of Cleveland Browns have known since 1999, after the franchise returned after leaving for Baltimore after the 1995 season. He decided to step away at the end of the 2024 preseason to continue his battle with cancer. Last year marked his 25th year calling plays on radio and preseason television broadcasts.
He was born in Boston, Massachusetts. He graduated from Boston University in 1978. Most Clevelanders know him from working for Channel 3 WKYC, but he was more than the "Voice" as he had national roles in media before his time in Cleveland. He was a play-by-play announcer for the NFL on NBC from 1987-1997, he also covered the 1994 Soccer World Cup as well as the 1996 Olympic games in Atlanta.
Donovan has won numerous awards for his time in the media and is in multiple halls of fames including the Cleveland Browns Legends and the Cleveland Sports Hall of Fame. His legacy will live in Cleveland for all time.
The joy he brought to so many will never be forgotten. His compassion, his generosity, his advice, and his pure love of what he did will forever be a part of that legacy.
A story told by him is that his Mom would ask him when was he coming home (to Boston)? And he told his Mom, “I’m home (meaning Cleveland was now his home)”
From everyone at the Lake County Sentinel our deepest sympathy go out to Jim Donovan's family and his friends.
POSTED 10/26/2024 16:45
