Jim Donovan, Cleveland Browns Play-by-Play Announcer and TV Sports Anchor, Dies of Cancer at 68

Cleveland Browns radio broadcaster Jim Donovan stands on the field prior to an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills on Thursday, Oct. 3, 2013 in Cleveland. The Browns won 37-24. AP Photo/David Richard

CLEVELAND—Jim Donovan, the beloved radio play-by-play announcer for the Cleveland Browns and a TV sports fixture for more than four decades, died Saturday. He was 68.

Donovan retired from his broadcast career earlier this year and stepped away from his game-day duties with the team before this season while battling cancer. He had called Cleveland’s games since the team’s expansion rebirth in 1999.