Jim Donovan, the voice of the Cleveland Browns, made a different type of call post their Wednesday victory over the Bengals. Donovan is the Browns’ radio play-by-play announcer for the 24th straight season, taking up the role in 1999 when the franchise returned to the NFL. But nobody was expecting the call when Donovan took up the mike to announce he would be stepping off from the broadcast. He revealed he was diagnosed with leukemia once again.

Donovan is a cancer survivor, getting his bone marrow replaced in 2011. He has been living a healthy and peaceful life since, but the disease came back last year to trouble him again. He has been undergoing chemotherapy and medication for the past eighteen months but never missed a broadcast for the sake of his love for the Browns. Lately, the disease has pushed him to the limit, forcing a relapse. Donovan however, promised to come back as soon as possible.

Jim Donovan to take time off from Cleveland Browns broadcast

Donovan has always hated to miss a day in the radio newsroom. Since arriving from Boston University in 1985, the 67-year-old has been a constant feature at Channel 3 throughout 38 years. His love and loyalty for the franchise made him come back from a bone marrow replacement following chronic lymphocytic leukemia which he was diagnosed with in 2000. The 2011 surgery forced him out for months, but he came back with even with a fresher mind and higher enthusiasm.

But things hit a rough patch once again in 2022 when Donovan noticed his health slowly deteriorating and some very known signs showing up for a second time. His fear was confirmed later as he was diagnosed with the same disease after 10 years post-recovery. In his post-game announcement, Browns revealed that he had been taking chemotherapies and medicines, resulting in his bald head.

“There’s a story to the new look and hairstyle that I’m sporting here tonight. 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, the disease had come back”, as compiled by Cleveland.

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He then announced that he was going for treatment and that his fellow callers would take up the charge in his absence. “So now, here’s what’s going to happen on the Browns Radio Network. I am going to have to step away to continue treatment for this relapse of leukemia that I have had. And I will be away for a while. You will be in great hands with Nathan (Zegura) and Je’Rod (Cherry), and Chris Rose will come in and handle the play-by-play”, as compiled by Cleveland Browns.

His workmates too, prayed for his quick recovery while preparing for their new role.

Browns get temporary changes in the announcement box

Fellow announcer Nathan Zeguara offered his prayers to Donovan, “And you’ll be back, and you’ll be better than ever,” Zegura said to Donovan. “It was such a treat to have you here today, especially for a game like this, Jim. And we’re all thinking of you. Everyone in this city loves you. Every Browns fan around the world loves you, and we can’t wait for you to be back in the booth.”

And Donovan himself, amid everything, remained positive hoping to come back at the job as soon as possible. “In addition to my teams at WKYC, the Browns, and of course my wife (Cheryl) and daughter (Meghan), I have an amazing group of doctors and caregivers at University Hospital’s Seidman Cancer Center and I truly appreciate everyone’s support,” Donovan said. “I promise I’ll be a listener, and I’ll be back as soon as I can”, as compiled by Radio Ink.

Ohio State Buckeyes’ Paul Keels will replace him in his role, who was the Bengals’ voice for the 1996s season. But it will not be the same for the Browns as Donovan is believed to have magic in his voice, which was once again up for a show when the Browns defeated Joe Burrow‘s Bengals while the 67-year-old calling the play. Many fans believe him as a lucky charm for the team and will surely look forward to his rejoining. We too, hope that Donovan beats Leukemia for a second time a comes back to light up the seat that has belonged to him for the past 24 years.

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