Jim Donovan to Step Away From Booth to Focus on Health
The 'Voice' of Cleveland Browns football announced after today's game that he would be taking a temporary leave from the radio booth to take the next steps in his treatment for leukemia. Donovan has been the play-by-play announcer for the Browns since the team returned and today marked the start of his 24th season on the call.
Donovan had previously communicated in May that the disease that caused him to have a bone marrow transplant over eleven years ago had returned and that he was beginning treatment immediately. He announced it at the close of the broadcast today and said that though he would be away for a while that us fans would be in great hands. "I promise I'll be a listener and I'll be back as soon as I can."
In the meantime Chris Rose will join Nathan Zegura in the booth as the play-by-play commentator. Rose will certainly try to fill the enormous shoes in his absence as Donovan is one of the most beloved figures of the team's fanbase. He has given us some of the most memorable calls in the biggest of moments since the team has returned.
This is a battle that Donovan has won before and one that we and Browns fans across the entire world are hoping and praying he wins again. Although his presence in the booth may be absent in the near future, his 'voice' will be etched in our hearts as we witness every big play, in what we all hope is a very special season. Perhaps the biggest gift for us would be to have our Jimmy back healthy and at full-strength calling meaningful games in late January.
