The Cleveland Browns will be without their usual radio play-by-play voice in Jim Donovan for the foreseeable future. Donovan revealed at the end of Sunday’s Week 1 broadcast that he will not be on the call for any upcoming games.
Donovan announced back in May to WKYC viewers that he had suffered a relapse with leukemia. He explained he had been undergoing chemo treatments for the last year and a half.
On Sunday following the Browns’ season-opening win over the Bengals, Donovan told listeners they will be hearing someone else call games while he continues to battle the disease.
“I am going to have to step away to continue treatment of this relapse of leukemia that I’ve had, and I’ll be away for a while,” Donovan said.
Jim said fans would be in great hands while he’s away. Chris Rose will be taking over play-by-play duties in the interim, with Nathan Zegura and Je’Rod Cherry continuing in their normal broadcast roles.
Donovan has been the voice of the Browns since 1999. Sunday marked his 25th season behind the microphone. He has been working at WKYC since 1985.
“I promise I’ll be a listener, and I’ll be back as soon as I can,” Donovan said.
