<![CDATA[~ ❤️ JIm Donovan Battling Leukemia, Again ~]]> CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Jim Donovan, longtime radio voice of the Cleveland Browns and a 3News sports anchor, made a call on the air Wednesday night that he wishes he didn’t have to make.

He announced on 3News Front Row that he’s battling leukemia again.

“There’s a story to the new look and hairstyle that I am sporting here tonight,” Donovan said. “And I think tonight we’re going to take a couple of moments here to tell you the story behind the story behind the look. So we’ll start this way. It was about a year and a half ago that I noticed that something was amiss with my health. And if you’ve known me and if you’ve followed me through the years here at Channel 3 and with the Cleveland Browns, you know that I’ve had a long battle with leukemia to the point where I had a bone marrow transplant about 11 and a half years ago. Well, my concerns were confirmed, and by that I mean it was told to me that I had had a relapse of leukemia.”

Donovan, 66, explained that he’s been receiving intravenous and oral chemotherapy for the last 18 months.

“For the most part, those worked pretty well,” he said. “But things change and things have changed for me in my case. And so we’re going to have to go with a different treatment plan, a more aggressive treatment plan, which has already started. That’s the badge of honor that you get in chemotherapy. You begin to lose your hair. So I’m underway with that. This is going to be kind of a long and winding road through this treatment plan because it is going to be pretty aggressive, but the goal is got to get better, got to get healthy, got to move on. I know the deal. I’ve done it before and I plan to do it once again.”

Browns owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam wished Donovan well on behalf of the organization.

“Our thoughts and the thoughts of the entire organization are with Jim and his family right now in this difficult time,” the Haslams said in a statement. “There is no better representative of the Cleveland Browns. He is as tough as they come and proved as much in his previous battle. We’re all behind Jim and will do everything we can to support him. We look forward to him winning this fight, being around the team and continuing to call our games during the season.”

Micki Byrnes, WKYC president and general manager, captured the essence of Donovan in a statement.

“Jim Donovan is a Cleveland broadcasting legend, whose name has become synonymous with the Northeast Ohio sports scene,” Byrnes said. “Just as Jim handles his daily reporting and analysis with smarts, grit and strength — we know that Jim will bring that same tenacity and spirit to this health battle. We appreciate that the viewers and community stand in solidarity with our WKYC team in supporting Jim and his family, just as they always have for the past 38+ years.”

]]>https://brownsboard.com/topic/66767/jim-donovan-battling-leukemia-againRSS for NodeThu, 01 Oct 2026 07:57:37 GMTThu, 01 Jun 2023 01:36:14 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to ~ ❤️ JIm Donovan Battling Leukemia, Again ~ on Thu, 31 Oct 2024 17:18:24 GMT]]>

@fy56 said:

Hamilton is too hyperbole and excessively dramatic.
Tom “Oh the humanity!!!!” Hamilton. A truly professional announcer is one that can make a game exciting without all the passionate screaming but rather with a  more steady voice.

Vin Scully of the Dodgers was excellent at that.

Joe Tait of the Cavs also. “Wham with the right hand !” Is all the louder he needed to be.

Tait was the best of the best.. Chick Hearn can go fuck himself.. The only weakness Tait had was his style didnt translate well to Football.. But for Basketball and Baseball... there was nobody better... Except maybe Harry Carey was more entertaining lol

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/1142221https://brownsboard.com/post/1142221Thu, 31 Oct 2024 17:18:24 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to ~ ❤️ JIm Donovan Battling Leukemia, Again ~ on Thu, 31 Oct 2024 14:34:35 GMT]]>

@nickers said:

I agree on Hamilton... I can't stand his lispy,whiny voice.. Although since they dropped the name "Indians"... I haven't cared anymore... Dolan can go fuck himself...

No disrespect to JD... I thought Nev Chandler was 10x's better and 10'x more creative...

Hamilton is too hyperbole and excessively dramatic.
Tom “Oh the humanity!!!!” Hamilton. A truly professional announcer is one that can make a game exciting without all the passionate screaming but rather with a  more steady voice.

Vin Scully of the Dodgers was excellent at that.

Joe Tait of the Cavs also. “Wham with the right hand !” Is all the louder he needed to be.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/1142207https://brownsboard.com/post/1142207Thu, 31 Oct 2024 14:34:35 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to ~ ❤️ JIm Donovan Battling Leukemia, Again ~ on Tue, 29 Oct 2024 20:57:28 GMT]]>

@fy56 said:

RIP Jim.

Weve been fortunate to have the best announcers in sports. Nev Chandler, Gib Shanley, Joe Tait, and others. Their greatness is a reflection of Cleveland’s sports fans. Too bad the teams never matched either of their greatness. 
 

Tom Hamilton sucks tho.
 

I agree on Hamilton... I can't stand his lispy,whiny voice.. Although since they dropped the name "Indians"... I haven't cared anymore... Dolan can go fuck himself...

No disrespect to JD... I thought Nev Chandler was 10x's better and 10'x more creative...

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/1142059https://brownsboard.com/post/1142059Tue, 29 Oct 2024 20:57:28 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to ~ ❤️ JIm Donovan Battling Leukemia, Again ~ on Tue, 29 Oct 2024 14:28:02 GMT]]> RIP Jim.

Weve been fortunate to have the best announcers in sports. Nev Chandler, Gib Shanley, Joe Tait, and others. Their greatness is a reflection of Cleveland’s sports fans. Too bad the teams never matched either of their greatness. 
 

Tom Hamilton sucks tho.
 

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/1142008https://brownsboard.com/post/1142008Tue, 29 Oct 2024 14:28:02 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to ~ ❤️ JIm Donovan Battling Leukemia, Again ~ on Mon, 28 Oct 2024 03:14:30 GMT]]> We'll miss you Jim! And thank you for showing up as a ghost to blind the Ravens wide receivers and DB's from catching the ball today, we know that was you. The 12th man on the field today ?

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/1141859https://brownsboard.com/post/1141859Mon, 28 Oct 2024 03:14:30 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to ~ ❤️ JIm Donovan Battling Leukemia, Again ~ on Mon, 28 Oct 2024 00:25:30 GMT]]>

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/1141840https://brownsboard.com/post/1141840Mon, 28 Oct 2024 00:25:30 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to ~ ❤️ JIm Donovan Battling Leukemia, Again ~ on Sun, 27 Oct 2024 15:18:49 GMT]]> Knew it was coming, definitely a big loss for the city. One of the GOATs in all of football.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/1141693https://brownsboard.com/post/1141693Sun, 27 Oct 2024 15:18:49 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to ~ ❤️ JIm Donovan Battling Leukemia, Again ~ on Sun, 27 Oct 2024 14:06:37 GMT]]>

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/1141684https://brownsboard.com/post/1141684Sun, 27 Oct 2024 14:06:37 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to ~ ❤️ JIm Donovan Battling Leukemia, Again ~ on Sun, 27 Oct 2024 13:57:31 GMT]]>

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/1141683https://brownsboard.com/post/1141683Sun, 27 Oct 2024 13:57:31 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to ~ ❤️ JIm Donovan Battling Leukemia, Again ~ on Sat, 26 Oct 2024 23:19:42 GMT]]> Sigh...

We've been blessed with some really good Browns radio play-by-play guys, Nev Chandler, Casey Coleman and Jim Donovan were the three I remember. They were also the head sports guys for Channel 5, 8 and 3, respectively growing up. 

And we lost all three too soon. 

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/1141628https://brownsboard.com/post/1141628Sat, 26 Oct 2024 23:19:42 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to ~ ❤️ JIm Donovan Battling Leukemia, Again ~ on Sat, 26 Oct 2024 23:10:43 GMT]]> God Speed.  Condolences to family & friends.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/1141626https://brownsboard.com/post/1141626Sat, 26 Oct 2024 23:10:43 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to ~ ❤️ JIm Donovan Battling Leukemia, Again ~ on Sat, 26 Oct 2024 21:37:22 GMT]]>

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/1141624https://brownsboard.com/post/1141624Sat, 26 Oct 2024 21:37:22 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to ~ ❤️ JIm Donovan Battling Leukemia, Again ~ on Sat, 26 Oct 2024 20:51:53 GMT]]> RIP Jimmy D

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/1141623https://brownsboard.com/post/1141623Sat, 26 Oct 2024 20:51:53 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to ~ ❤️ JIm Donovan Battling Leukemia, Again ~ on Sat, 26 Oct 2024 20:38:26 GMT]]> sad day - RIP Jim 

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/1141622https://brownsboard.com/post/1141622Sat, 26 Oct 2024 20:38:26 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to ~ ❤️ JIm Donovan Battling Leukemia, Again ~ on Sat, 26 Oct 2024 20:30:48 GMT]]> I was afraid of this based on his rapid entrance to the ring of honor.

Peace to his family. R.I.P Jim. You made us proud with game calls, zest for life, and the way you led your life. More important than being missed, you will be remembered.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/1141620https://brownsboard.com/post/1141620Sat, 26 Oct 2024 20:30:48 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to ~ ❤️ JIm Donovan Battling Leukemia, Again ~ on Sat, 26 Oct 2024 20:19:50 GMT]]> RIP Jimmy.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/1141618https://brownsboard.com/post/1141618Sat, 26 Oct 2024 20:19:50 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to ~ ❤️ JIm Donovan Battling Leukemia, Again ~ on Sat, 26 Oct 2024 20:02:51 GMT]]> He was great; one of us.

WSS

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/1141616https://brownsboard.com/post/1141616Sat, 26 Oct 2024 20:02:51 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to ~ ❤️ JIm Donovan Battling Leukemia, Again ~ on Sat, 26 Oct 2024 18:45:52 GMT]]>

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/1141603https://brownsboard.com/post/1141603Sat, 26 Oct 2024 18:45:52 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to ~ ❤️ JIm Donovan Battling Leukemia, Again ~ on Sat, 26 Oct 2024 18:09:01 GMT]]>

@ibleedbrown said:

I just saw Jim passed away. Very sad.

I saw the thread moved up, I was hoping for better new's. Prayers for his family

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/1141599https://brownsboard.com/post/1141599Sat, 26 Oct 2024 18:09:01 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to ~ ❤️ JIm Donovan Battling Leukemia, Again ~ on Sat, 26 Oct 2024 18:06:25 GMT]]> I just saw Jim passed away. Very sad.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/1141598https://brownsboard.com/post/1141598Sat, 26 Oct 2024 18:06:25 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to ~ ❤️ JIm Donovan Battling Leukemia, Again ~ on Sat, 21 Sep 2024 14:08:40 GMT]]> I like Jim Donovan and wish him a full recovery - a good play by play guy is accurate and clearly spoken of which of course he was...

on another  note - when our family lived in NE ohio way back when

i recall a Gib Shanley TV  commentary of Blanton Colliers retirement as HC of Browns after 1970 season, 

as one being a calling out of the team for finishing 7-7.    Pointing out that this great coach with a 68.75 winning percentage 

and a Championship in 64, as Shanley expressed in disbelief that the team had quit on him. 

(still not in NFL HOF let alone Browns Ring of Honor?) *

(the entire AFC were average to horrible except Baltimore and Miami compared to the NFC then  ) 

*

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/1136794https://brownsboard.com/post/1136794Sat, 21 Sep 2024 14:08:40 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to ~ ❤️ JIm Donovan Battling Leukemia, Again ~ on Sat, 21 Sep 2024 00:38:22 GMT]]>

@ibleedbrown said:

I have a high opinion of Hamilton, and you may be right now that Marty Brenneman has retired, haha. Marty got pretty crotchety in his old age so Hamilton’s probably had the edge the better part of the last decade. 

We   INDIANS / GUARDIANS  / BROWNS / CAVS  fans have had some great  radio & TV  announcers for a long time.

SO  we should look aread & look back at those great moments.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/1136771https://brownsboard.com/post/1136771Sat, 21 Sep 2024 00:38:22 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to ~ ❤️ JIm Donovan Battling Leukemia, Again ~ on Fri, 20 Sep 2024 21:24:32 GMT]]>

@dutch-oven said:

As a Cleveland sports fan, I can honestly say we've been blessed with some phenomenal radio guys for all the teams. Joe Tait was obviously a legend for the Cavs, and I really enjoyed Nev Chandler and Casey Coleman along with Donovan of course. Some of our older fans here remember Gib Shanley fondley I'm sure. Herb Score literally was the voice of summer for me growing up, and I'll fight anyone anywhere that Tom Hamilton is the best baseball radio announcer anywhere. 

I kind of wish I was going to the game this Sunday to see him get inducted, but then again, getting all weepy in public sucks. 

I have a high opinion of Hamilton, and you may be right now that Marty Brenneman has retired, haha. Marty got pretty crotchety in his old age so Hamilton’s probably had the edge the better part of the last decade. 

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/1136756https://brownsboard.com/post/1136756Fri, 20 Sep 2024 21:24:32 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to ~ ❤️ JIm Donovan Battling Leukemia, Again ~ on Fri, 20 Sep 2024 20:43:41 GMT]]>

@ibleedbrown said:

It looked staged and poorly acted. Safe bet Jim knew the call was coming. Camera in his face and all

I am sure he was told a call would be coming in, But did he know what it was about ? who knows ?

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/1136752https://brownsboard.com/post/1136752Fri, 20 Sep 2024 20:43:41 GMT