Longtime Browns radio play-by-play announcer Jim Donovan died Saturday, the organization announced.
He was 68.
Donovan had called games for Cleveland since 1999 until earlier this year when he stepped away from the booth while battling leukemia.
“This is an incredibly difficult day for us and the entire Cleveland Browns organization,” Browns owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam said in a statement. “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.
“He will be greatly missed, but he cemented a legacy that will live on forever. The only thing that outweighed his love for this city and this team was the love he had for his family. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Cheryl, his daughter, Meghan, and everyone who was fortunate enough to call Jimmy family or friend.”
Dubbed the “Voice of the Cleveland Browns,” Donovan also spent time on television, calling NFL games for NBC, as well as baseball, the World Cup and the 1992 and 1996 Olympics.
In May 2011, Donovan announced that has been dealing with chronic lymphocytic leukemia for the previous decade.
He announced his final Browns game on Aug. 24, a preseason game against the Seahawks.
“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,’” Donovan wrote after retiring from the air in August. “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.”
