Jim Donovan stepping away from Cleveland Browns radio broadcasts due to health reasons

BEREA — The "Voice of the Cleveland Browns " is stepping away from the microphone.

The Browns announced Thursday that longtime radio play-by-play announcer Jim Donovan has informed the team he is retiring from the broadcast booth because his leukemia has returned. He has been battling health issues off and on since 2000.

Donovan wrote a letter to Browns fans, which the team posted to its website and on social media. The letter read:

"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"

Donovan has been the only full-time broadcaster the Browns have had since they returned to the NFL in 1999. He's the eighth radio broadcaster in team history.

"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," Browns owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam said in a statement. "He is Cleveland and represents all that is good about Cleveland. Jim poured everything into his craft. Whether you've heard him on TV, radio or have been lucky enough to engage him in person, he lights up every room and every conversation with his infectious energy. His class, professionalism and limitless care for those around him make all of us better.

"Words could never fully express our gratitude and admiration for Jim, how he has navigated his fight with cancer, his love for this city and most importantly, his love and dedication to his family. 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."

There's no word yet on who will fill in for Donovan , who has held the job since the team's 1999 rebirth, when the Browns open the season Sept. 8 against the Dallas Cowboys. He did all three of the team's preseason games, with his last broadcast being last Saturday from Seattle.

Donovan was originally diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) in 2000. He eventually had a bone-marrow transplant in the summer of 2011.

The 68-year-old had a relapse with leukemia and underwent more treatment last year. That caused him to step away temporarily from his job at the time at WKYC-TV (Channel 3), as well as miss several Browns games.

The Browns utilized a number of announcers to fill in for Donovan in his absence a year ago. Those included WKRK-FM host Jeff Phelps, NFL Network personalities Andrew Siciliano and Chris Rose, as well as Ohio State radio announce Paul Keels and Fox broadcaster Tom McCarthy.

Health issues also pulled Donovan away from the broadcast booth for two games during the 2022 season.  He was under the weather for a Week 6 game against the New England Patriots, and he also missed a Week 11 game at the Miami Dolphins due to COVID.

Donovan, a native of Boston, retired from Channel 3 in June. He had worked at the station since 1985.

Beyond his work locally in the Cleveland market, Donovan has handled a number of national broadcasting roles. He did NFL broadcasts on NBC from 1987-97, as well as the 1992 and 1996 Summer Olympics and the 1994 World Cup.

Chris Easterling can be reached at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Browns at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/browns. Follow him on Twitter at @ceasterlingABJ .

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Jim Donovan stepping away from Cleveland Browns radio broadcasts due to health reasons