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

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.”