### Renowned Sportscaster Jim Donovan Passes Away at 68 After Battling Cancer

CLEVELAND - Jim Donovan, a beloved Cleveland sportscaster and the iconic voice of the Browns, has passed away at the age of 68 following a long battle with cancer. Donovan, who became a local legend in his 39 years at WKYC and his 25 seasons as the Browns' radio announcer, leaves behind a legacy that has deeply touched Northeast Ohio.

Jim Donovan is survived by his wife Cheryl and daughter Meghan. Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later time. WKYC President and General Manager Micki Byrnes stated, "It's hard to overstate Jimmy's impact on all sports, all teams, all fans here in Northeast Ohio. His passion and love for the game was truly unique. We've all lost someone very special, and our thoughts and prayers stay with his wife Cheryl and daughter Meghan."

Donovan retired as the 3News sports and news anchor in June after an extraordinary tenure that began in 1985. Upon his retirement, Donovan expressed gratitude for the support he received from viewers, Browns fans, and colleagues throughout his career. "It's been an amazing run, and I am so thankful for the support from our viewers, Browns fans, my colleagues and all who have been a part of the journey. I'm looking forward to spending more time with Cheryl and my daughter, Meghan," he said.

Although Donovan planned to continue as the "Voice of the Browns," he retired from the radio booth before the 2023 regular season due to a resurgence of his aggressive cancer. In a heartfelt note to fans, he conveyed his pride in being the Browns' play-by-play announcer and thanked everyone for their support, likening the community to a huge family.

Cleveland Browns owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam paid tribute to Donovan, emphasizing his irreplaceable impact on the organization. "This is an incredibly difficult day for us and the entire Cleveland Browns organization. We are deeply saddened by the loss of Jim Donovan. His impact as the Voice of the Browns for 25 years is immeasurable as he touched the lives of our fans each and every Sunday with his love for the Browns and his brilliance at his craft."

Born in Boston in 1956, Donovan started his career after graduating from Boston University, where he worked alongside radio host Howard Stern. He climbed the ranks to become a notable sports broadcaster, working in Minnesota and New England before making Cleveland his home in 1985. At WKYC, he became the lead sports anchor and gained national spotlight by handling play-by-play for NFL games on NBC from 1987 to 1997 and covering the 1992 and 1996 Summer Olympics.

In 1999, when the Cleveland Browns were reinstated as an expansion team, Donovan was chosen to be their radio play-by-play announcer. His voice became synonymous with the Browns through ups and downs over 25 seasons, and he delivered memorable calls, including the famous "Run William Run" and his touching thoughts during the Browns' COVID-era playoff berth in 2020.

Donovan also contributed to WKYC's coverage of the Cleveland Indians and extended his role as an anchor for Channel 3's 7 p.m. newscast in 2012. His enthusiasm and dedication have left an indelible mark on the broadcasting world and the hearts of sports fans in Cleveland.