Cleveland Browns radio play-by-play announcer Jim Donovan has attained a milestone in his battle against chronic lymphocytic leukemia. On Tuesday night, he rang the bell at UH Cleveland Medical Center to signify the completion of his final cancer treatment. The moment took place on WKYC’s 3 News: Front Row program and also featured Donovan’s treatment team.
“I’ve moved on to a different stage of my treatment, and I had gone through a process of radiation, which is really working well,” Donovan said, “and coupled with everything else that has been going on, I have reached a very big milestone.”
Donovan had to take a temporary leave of absence from the team’s radio broadcasts during the regular season, but he was able to make his return to the broadcast booth in Week 11. When Donovan returned to Cleveland Browns Stadium, he was greeted with a standing ovation from the crowd. In his first game back, the team secured a 13-10 victory over the rival Pittsburgh Steelers on a thrilling, game-winning field goal.
Donovan was treated for leukemia in 2011 and underwent a bone marrow transplant amid that fight. He relapsed with the disease last year and found a way to return behind the microphone for the Browns, a position he has occupied since 1999. While explaining the significance of ringing the bell on the air, he took the time to acknowledge his treatment team at UH Cleveland Medical Center.
“I have waited forever to do that,” Donovan said. “It seems like forever, am I right? And I have to tell you to that all of those people that were with me there – and they were with me every day for five-and-a-half weeks, Monday through Friday, and a little [during] this week to finish it up – they were with me every day and they just treated me so well as they do with everybody who comes there, and I want to thank them.”
Ken Carman, morning radio host on 92.3 The Fan, explained on the air the day after that he got choked up seeing Donovan return amid his 25th season on the call. The team allowed Donovan to take part in the ceremonial guitar smash before the Week 11 contest, and after the game, head coach Kevin Stefanski presented him with a game ball in the locker room.
