Jimmy spent 39 years as a sports and news anchor at WKYC and was the radio voice of the Cleveland Browns for 25 seasons. He passed away after a brave battle with cancer.
CLEVELAND — Jim Donovan, the iconic Cleveland sportscaster who was a regular on WKYC for 39 years and was the voice of Browns radio for 25 seasons, has died at the age of 68 after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Ta.
Jimmy is survived by his beloved wife Cheryl and daughter Megan. Funeral dates will be announced at a later date.
“I cannot overstate Jimmy’s impact on all sports, all teams, and all fans here in Northeast Ohio. His passion and love for the game was truly unique. We has all lost a very loved one and our thoughts and prayers remain with his wife Cheryl and daughter Megan,” said WKYC President and General Manager Mickey Burns.
Jimmy retired as 3News sports and newscaster in June this year after an illustrious tenure that began in 1985.
“It was a great outcome and I am so grateful for the support from our viewers, Browns fans, colleagues and everyone involved in this journey. I look forward to spending more time with Sheryl and my daughter Megan. I’m looking forward to it,” Jimmy said upon retiring from WKYC.
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He intended to continue to serve as the “voice of the Browns,” calling all three of the team’s preseason games before announcing his retirement in the radio booth before the start of the regular season in September. This was due to “a very aggressive relapse.” ”
In a heartfelt message to fans, Jimmy said, “Not a day goes by that I don’t stop and be proud to be the voice of the Browns.” And I’m grateful.” Thank you for all your love, support and prayers during my difficult time. It’s like having a big family around us. And that’s what makes the Cleveland Browns special. you do. “
On Saturday, Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam and his wife paid tribute to Jimmy.
“Today is an incredibly difficult day for us and the entire Cleveland Browns organization. We are deeply saddened by the passing of Jim Donovan. He was the voice of the Browns for 25 years. His influence was immeasurable, touching the lives of our fans every Sunday with his love for the Browns and his technical excellence.”
“He will be sorely missed, but he cemented a legacy that will live on forever. The only thing that surpassed his love for this city and this team was his love for his family. We Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Cheryl, daughter Meghan, and everyone who was lucky enough to call Jimmy family and friend.”
career
James Francis Donovan III was born in Boston in 1956. He graduated from Boston University, where he worked alongside another future broadcasting legend, radio host Howard Stern. After a career as a radio sports director at WJON in St. Cloud, Minnesota, Jimmy returned to New England and honed his skills as an anchor and reporter working at WVMT Radio, WEZF-TV, and Satellite New Channel. , live announcer.
In 1985, at age 29, Jimmy arrived in Cleveland to become WKYC’s weekend sports anchor. A year later, he became 3News’ lead sports anchor, a role he held until this summer.
While establishing himself here in Cleveland, Jimmy gained national recognition in 1987 when he was selected by NBC to provide play-by-play for NFL games. He remained in that position until 1997, when television rights for AFC games were transferred from NBC to CBS. In addition to his work with the NFL, Jimmy also provided play-by-play for several events during NBC’s coverage of the 1992 and 1996 Summer Olympics.
In 1999, the Cleveland Browns returned to the NFL as an expansion franchise after the team moved to Baltimore four years earlier. Jimmy was selected as the team’s radio play-by-play announcer, along with color analyst Doug Dieken and side reporter Casey Coleman.
In Jimmy’s 25 seasons as the Browns’ spokesperson, the team won a championship in just four seasons and made the playoffs in only three. Through numerous coaching changes, front office shake-ups, and losing seasons, Jimmy was the one person fans could always count on every Sunday. He loved being the Browns’ radio play-by-play announcer, and the fans loved him in response.
During his time as the Browns’ radio voice, Jimmy has provided excitement and context for some of the most memorable moments in franchise history.
“Run William Run” – Jimmy’s epic call on William Greene’s touchdown run in the 2002 regular season finale against the Atlanta Falcons as the Browns made the playoffs for the first time in the expansion era. .
“Chubba Wabba Hubb” – Jimmy always referred to Browns running back Nick Chubb as “my adopted son.” He liked to praise Chubb’s great moments, especially this 92-yard touchdown run in 2018.
“The only thing missing? Guys!” – The Browns, like the rest of the NFL, played in front of limited crowds in 2020 during the coronavirus pandemic. One of my favorite calls of Jimmy’s came that season when the Browns made the playoffs for the first time in 18 years, and he put the fans first.
Check out highlights of Jimmy’s amazing play-by-play call below.
Jimmy continued to expand his role at WKYC while making a name for himself as the Browns’ radio play-by-play announcer. Jimmy served as the play-by-play announcer from 2006 to 2008 after the station acquired the local terrestrial television rights to the Cleveland Indians. And in 2012, he expanded his duties at WKYC to become the anchor of Channel 3’s 7pm newscast while continuing his role as sports anchor.
During his distinguished career, Jimmy has received multiple Emmy Awards, the Cleveland Press Club All-Ohio Sportscaster of the Year Award, the Cleveland Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame Award, the Cleveland Press Club Journalism Hall of Fame Award, the Greater Cleveland Sports Awards Lifetime Achievement Award, and many more. won the award. This fall, he was inducted into the 2024 class of the Cleveland Browns Legends as well as the Greater Cleveland Sports Hall of Fame’s 2024 class.
fight
After being diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) in 2000, Jimmy began a 10-year battle with the disease, culminating in a bone marrow transplant in the summer of 2011. His donor was a Virginia corrections officer named Dallas Gentry. It was a perfect match with a 10 point difference from Jimmy.
Just three months after his transplant, Jimmy made his triumphant return to the Browns’ broadcast booth in time for the season opener. It wasn’t an easy road back. In addition to battling a fever, Jimmy was diagnosed with melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer, in his earlobe. The doctor performed an operation to remove the mole.
RELATED: ‘Rebellious Adversary’: Jim Donovan’s battle with cancer in his own words
For the next ten years, Jimmy would closely monitor his condition.
On May 31, 2023, Jimmy announced that his leukemia had returned.
“The problems started about a year and a half ago,” he explained on WKYC’s 7 p.m. show, “I realized something was wrong with my health. My concern was that I “I was diagnosed with leukemia and was told that it had returned.”
Jimmy told viewers that he had been undergoing various forms of chemotherapy, both intravenously and orally, for the past 18 months. “For the most part, they worked pretty well, but because the situation is changing, a different treatment plan, a more aggressive treatment plan, has to be chosen and has already been started,” he says. added.
After the Browns’ 2023 season opener on September 11, 2023, Jimmy announced that he would be taking a break from radio and television work as part of the next phase of his treatment. Just over two months later, he made a triumphant return to the booth and anchor desk. Jimmy rode along with the Browns during their magical run to the playoffs. He was asked to “pound the guitar” to get the crowd going before the Browns hosted Pittsburgh, and was given the game ball by head coach Kevin Stefanski after that afternoon’s win.
As the Browns prepared to face the Houston Texans in the AFC Wild Card Game in January, Jimmy was asked to narrate a special promotional video on the team’s social media platforms.
“Let’s say this to the NFL this postseason: Here comes the Cleveland Browns, a tough, talented team that never gives up,” Jimmy said at the end of the video. “And I promise…I won’t either.”
He never broke that promise.
