Cleveland Browns Name Replacement for Legendary Radio Voice of Past 25 Years

The Cleveland Browns will have a new voice after 25 years. Jim Donovan, who has broadcast the team’s games since the franchise re-entered the NFL in 1999, is stepping away from the radio booth as he continues to fight cancer.

Taking his place as “The Voice of the Cleveland Browns” is veteran television and radio broadcaster Andrew Siciliano. Siciliano comes to the Browns Radio Network after serving in a variety of positions for the NFL Network, hosting both NFL Sunday Ticket Red Zone on DirecTV from 2005-2023, as well as NFL Total Access. Last season, he performed play-by-play duties for the Los Angeles Rams 2024 preseason television broadcasts before serving as a substitute for Donovan during the regular season.

Siciliano to do Play-by-Play Duties on Cleveland Browns Radio

Photo bySteve DiMatteoonUnsplash

The switch to Siciliano for this season is not a surprise. Siciliano filled in for Donovan last season after the latter announced on radio during the 2023 season opener last September that he was taking a medical leave of absence to continue treatment for a relapse of leukemia that had been discovered a few months prior. Donovan temporarily returned to the radio booth in Week 11 and called Browns games through the end of the 2023 season.

A native of Reston, Virginia, a self-proclaimed fan of both the Cleveland Browns and Cleveland Guardians, graduated from Syracuse University before beginning his sports announcing career. He will take Donovan’s place in the Browns radio booth alongside color commentator Nathan Zegura and sideline reporter Je’Rod Cherry. Siciliano said of the opportunity in a team press release:

I’m honored for the opportunity, but wish the circumstances were different. Like every Browns fan, I was stunned last week when I learned of Jim’s retirement. I know I have big shoes to fill. Jim’s an icon, an amazing man and an indelible part of this community. I’m so grateful to Jim for his gracious support last season when I did a few games and will never forget sitting in the stands and listening to his call when the Browns clinched the playoffs in Week 17.”

Siciliano will be in the booth for Sunday’s season opener against the Dallas Cowboys at Cleveland’s newly-named Huntington Bank Field.

Donovan Stepped Down from Cleveland Browns Radio Job in August

Donovan was initially diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia in 2000 and continued to serve as the Cleveland Browns play-by-play radio announcer as he battled the disease. He underwent a bone marrow transplant in 2011 but announced in May 2023 that there was a relapse and he would be undergoing a more aggressive treatment.

Upon formally stepping down from his role on August 29, Donovan conveyed his thoughts to Browns fans in a personal letter released by the team, saying:

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 Browns have left the door open for Donovan’s return to the radio booth in the future, as noted by Executive Vice President and Partner JW Johnson’s quote in a press release:

“We were so honored to have Jim Donovan as the Voice of the Cleveland Browns for 25 seasons, and we will be missing him in the radio booth this year. Last season we were able to bring Andrew Siciliano on for a number of games, and his passion for the Browns and this fanbase shines through his commentary. We’re looking forward to having his voice lead the Dawg Pound on the radio call during the 2024 season.”

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Article originally written by Tom Carothers