A Cleveland Browns fan holds up a sign supporting Browns radio announcer Jim Donovan. (Nick Cammet/Diamond Images via Getty Images)
Jim Donovan, the longtime Cleveland Browns radio broadcaster and WKYC anchor, has died after a decades-long battle with cancer. He was 68 years old.
Donovan began calling Browns games in 1999, when the team resumed NFL play after a three-year hiatus. Unfortunately, the Browns had 21 losing seasons in his 25 years in the booth.
We are saddened by the passing of Jim Donovan, the voice of the Browns.
Jim brought so much joy and love to this city. His steady presence on Browns game radio and nightly news television made him feel like part of a big family to all of them… pic.twitter.com/ASYOzIKK7G
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) October 26, 2024
“Jim brought so much joy and love to this city,” the Brown family said. in a statement Posted on social media. “His steady presence on the radio at Browns games and on television on the nightly news made him feel like part of an extended family to everyone who tuned in. His signature Cole will forever be part of Browns history.”
For many fans, Donovan’s most famous call came on Dec. 29, 2002, during a game between the Browns and the Atlanta Falcons. Cleveland had to win to advance to the playoffs. With four minutes remaining and a 17-16 lead, rookie running back William Green ran 64 yards for a touchdown to seal the victory. Donovan’s “Run, William, run!” has lived on in Browns legend ever since.
“The most incredible thing about that whole play was that I was out at training camp on a hot day in July and people were coming up to me and saying, ‘Ran, William, Ran Corre, this is the best call I’ve ever seen. ’” Donovan recalled in 2016. “That’s when you realize all the hard work you’ve put into this is worth it.”
Donovan joined the 2024 Class of Browns Legends in September, along with kicker Phil Dawson. Donovan’s daughter Meghan accepted the Browns Legend jacket on behalf of her father, who retired from radio broadcasting and television anchoring earlier this year to focus on cancer treatment.
For three seasons from 2006 to 2008, he covered Cleveland baseball on WKYC. Before joining the Browns, Donovan announced NFL games on NBC, as well as Olympic coverage for the 1992 and 1996 Summer Olympics. In 1994, he also called a match for the Soccer World Cup.
“Jimmy lived to play the game. That was Jimmy’s life,” said former Browns player Doug Deken, who provided analysis along with Donovan. “He was a perfectionist. He would listen to the games after the game and criticize himself. I could never do that. I didn’t want to hear my opinion.”
“During the game, he would stand up and jump like he had a snake in his pants,” Deeken added, via Cleveland.com. “I looked at him and laughed. I forgot I was on the air with him. And he said, ‘Doug, how do you like that play?'”
