Tag: jim donovan

Cleveland Browns play-by-play voice Jim Donovan exits amid cancer battle

Browns play-by-play voice Jim Donovan is battling cancer

The friendly and familiar play-by-play voice of the Cleveland Browns since 1999, Jim Donovan, is stepping away from his role.

Donovan announced Thursday he is battling cancer and will have to step away from those duties.

Per ClevelandBrowns.com:

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

Then, in September during the 2023 season opener against the Bengals, Donovan announced he would taking a medical leave of absence from the Browns Radio Network as he continued his treatment of leukemia. He returned to the radio booth in November for Week 11 of the season. In February 2024, Donovan celebrated the end of a radiation treatment

Donovan wrote Browns fans and said his cancer has returned “very aggressively,” requiring him to devote everything he has “to continue the fight.”

Hello Browns Fans Everywhere:

Well the regular season is finally here! Can you imagine the atmosphere inside Browns Stadium when the Cowboys and Browns kick it off? It will be electric. It will be epic.

Unfortunately, I will not be calling the game on the Browns Radio Network. I have called my last Browns game and that’s why I’m writing to you. As many of you know I have been dealing with cancer for many years. I’ve gone through every treatment imaginable. But my cancer is a defiant opponent and has returned and very aggressively. This will require me to devote everything I have in me to continue the fight and my family and I are committed to doing that.

I have called Browns games for 25 years. Not a day has gone by when I haven’t paused and been so proud to be “The Voice of the Browns.” Cheryl, Meghan and I thank you for all the love, support and prayers during my rough patches. It’s like having a huge family around us. And that’s what makes the Cleveland Browns so special. You do.

Now let’s get those Cowboys and make this ’24-’25 season a great one! I’ll be watching and listening. Here We Go Brownies…Here We Go!

It’s been an honor,

Jim Donovan

The owners of the team offered their celebration of Donovan.

“We have been so honored to have Jim Donovan as the Voice of the Browns since we became a part of the organization in 2012 and quickly understood why our fans have absolutely loved him for the last 25 years,” Managing and Principal Partners Dee and Jimmy Haslam said. “He is Cleveland and represents all that is good about Cleveland.”

“…I know we speak for all Browns fans in saying that he is in our prayers, we are here to support him in every way possible and Jim Donovan will forever be a Cleveland Brown.”

Voice of the Browns steps away to continue his battle with cancer

There will never be another like the Voice of the Browns in the booth.

In heartbreaking news today, the voice of the Cleveland Browns, Jim Donovan, has been forced to step away from the booth permanently as his cancer has returned.

Donovan was re-diagnosed with cancer last season, which forced him away from the booth for part of the 2023 season. He returned triumphantly to smash the ceremonial pregame guitar after beating cancer and returning to the radio booth. However, Donovan has announced that his cancer has once again returned in a more aggressive form. Taking pen-to-paper to the fans of the Browns, Donovan wrote:

“Unfortunately, I will not be calling the game on the Browns Radio Network. I have called my last Browns game and that’s why I’m writing to you. As many of you know, I have been dealing with cancer for many years. I’ve gone through every treatment imaginable. But my cancer is a defiant opponent and has returned very aggressively. This will require me to devote everything I have in me to continue the fight and my family and I are committed to doing that.”

It won’t be the same without the voice of Donovan ringing through the radio. We wish Donovan nothing but the best as he continues his fight against cancer.

Browns radio legend Jim Donovan completes cancer treatments at University Hospital

The voice of the Browns has completed his treatment

Jim Donovan rang the bell at University Hospital on Thursday as he completed his cancer treatments for leukemia. It was his second bout with leukemia and he announced he would undergo treatments back in June that would cause him to miss several Cleveland Browns games during the 2023 season.

But he was able to come back in time and call another Browns playoff-clinching win at home just like he did back in 2020 during Kevin Stefanski’s first season with the team. Browns’ games just aren’t the same without Donovan on the call and seeing him ring the bell signifying the end of his radiation treatment was something truly heartwarming.

He had a big smile on his face ringing that bell and looked like he was recovering really well from his fight with cancer. Games are not the same without his voice calling them and hopefully, he will get the chance to call many more Browns wins soon.

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WATCH: Voice of the Browns Jim Donovan gets you ready for Texans showdown

Jim Donovan gets you hyped for the playoffs

The Cleveland Browns will kick off the playoffs as the first game of Super Wild Card Weekend tomorrow in Houston taking on the Houston Texans. Voice of the Browns Jim Donovan will be on the call after battling cancer earlier this year. On Friday the team released a video of Donovan that will make you emotional and ready for Saturday’s game.

It was the second battle with cancer for Donovan who talks about the fight in this team and how they refuse to give up just like him. Of all the years he has been calling Browns game he admits this year has been different and helped him through his cancer battle.

Cleveland is the favorite in tomorrow’s game and stands on the verge of something special. It has already been such a fun season but it’s clear that this group believes their story is far from over. Kickoff is Saturday at 4:30 as the Browns fight to keep their season going.

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Listen: Browns radio announcer Jim Donovan calls a big win in return

What a win for the legend to return to the radio booth for

Having Jim Donovan back in the radio booth was great news for Browns fans after he battled cancer. He made his return to the booth and got to call a last-second victory over the hated Steelers for the Browns’ seventh win of the year. It doesn’t matter how you win as long as you win, and Cleveland is currently sitting as the fifth seed in the playoff hunt.

Games like today against the Steelers never go in the Browns’ favor and yet somehow this team just continues to find ways to win. They have a lot of work to do on the offensive side of the ball, for example signing a veteran like Joe Flacco, but this defense can keep them in any game they play.

But to hear the excitement and happiness in Jim Donovan’s as the team hit the game-winning field goal and later the final play made the victory even sweeter.

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WATCH: Browns radio announcer makes his return with guitar smash pregame

It was great to see Jim back in Cleveland calling a Browns game

It was great to hear earlier this week that legendary radio announcer Jim Donovan would return to the radio booth for the Cleveland Browns. There isn’t a Browns fan around who doesn’t love to hear Donovan call a game. He returned this week by smashing the pregame guitar before Cleveland took on the Pittsburgh Steelers.

It has been a fun season so far for Cleveland but it always felt like something was missing without him in the booth. His love of the team he covers is unprecedented and he just makes every win so much better. When I think about big Browns wins and moments I always remember them in my head being called by Donovan.

It has been a good start for Cleveland against the hated Steelers and you know that Donovan has been enjoying a great game to make his return. Cleveland has a chance to make a run if their offense continues to grow under head coach Kevin Stefanski.

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Browns radio announcer Jim Donovan will return to booth Sunday

The legendary broadcaster is set to return to the airwaves.

It has been a long time since Browns fans have heard Jim Donovan’s voice on the radio call for games. He stepped away after the season opener as he battled leukemia but reassured the fans he would be back and Donovan is a man of his word.

Donovan will be in the booth this weekend when the Browns face the Steelers, which is news every fan will love to hear.

It has been a crazy and emotional ride following the Cleveland Browns this year and it isn’t likely to change anytime soon. The only thing missing from the fun and wins of this season is Donovan on the radio and that’s about to change.

There have been several quality radio hosts fill in but it just isn’t the same without Donovan in the booth. His chemistry and enthusiasm paired with Nathan Zegura really get you pumped on Sunday. I speak for all Browns fans when I say welcome back Jim, you have been missed.

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Listen to Jim Donovan call of Cade York’s game winner

Start your day (or anytime you need it) with Jim Donovan’s call of York’s game-winner which also got the “Titanic treatment”

The raw emotion of sports is what often keeps us coming back for more. Whether it is the upswing of emotion in a win or the downward spiral of frustration, sadness and anger in a loss, sports that make you feel something grab your time, attention and, often, your money.

The Cleveland Browns Week 1 victory over the Carolina Panthers had all the ups and downs of emotions. The frustration with QB Jacoby Brissett and the passing game. The excitement of RBs Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt. The anger toward the referees.

Finally, it was the pure joy and exhilaration when rookie kicker Cade York’s field goal flew through the uprights.

Cleveland is blessed with two great radio voices for the Browns and Guardians. Tom Hamilton’s calls of walk-off home runs are legendary in the area. Today, we start your day with Jim Donovan’s call of York’s game-winning field goal, with a little help from Nathan Zegura:

You can hear the genuine excitement in both of their voices. They do an excellent job of communicating the experience to the fans and adding to the excitement of the moment.

As is done with many last-second sports highlights, York’s kick also got the “Titanic treatment” very quickly:

Hopefully, a great way to start your Victory Monday Browns fans!