As head coach Kevin Stefanski stood among his team in the locker room following their 29-24 win over the Ravens, he held a game ball over his head.
"I told you guys, I would love nothing more than to give this game ball to the family of Jim Donovan," Stefanski said in his victory speech. "Jim loved the Cleveland Browns. He loved you guys. We love him back, and we will be there for his family. This one is for Jim."
Following the game, Stefanski and Executive Vice President of Football Operations and General Manager Andrew Berry visited Cheryl and Meghan Donovan to hand-deliver the game ball.
"Jim (Donovan) was so important to this organization. He was a friend of mine. I'm going to miss him. But his enthusiasm, his spirit will never be lost on many and won't be lost in this football team. But these guys fought like crazy. So, I'm proud to say that I can go give them a game ball."
Donovan passed away at the age of 68 on Oct. 26 after battling chronic lymphocytic leukemia. The following day, as the Browns hosted the Ravens at Huntington Bank Field, the Browns held a moment of silence for Donovan before the game. They played a compilation of his signature calls over the course of his career that tell the story of the Browns' history.
Donovan served as the "Voice of the Cleveland Browns" for 25 seasons, beginning in 1999. Over the course of his storied career, Donovan had signature calls that highlighted his time as the play-by-play announcer and are permanently etched in Browns lore.
Current players like DE Myles Garrett, G Joel Bitonio, TE David Njoku and others had Donovan call their games over the years. His voice calling moments of Browns history, as well as their own careers, holds an added significance.
"For myself, as long as I've been around, he's been the Voice of the Browns," Garrett said. "He's been calling plays since my first sack to some of the very last ones. So, it's definitely a hard loss and we all felt it, and we appreciate everything that he's brought to being a Brown and being part of this organization because there was no one like him."
The Browns not only won their second game of the season, but also won their first game following Donovan's passing. To many, that held another layer of meaning.
"One of the nicest people I've ever met in my brief conversations with him," Bitonio said. "A lot of my memories are hearing him making the calls and about going to the playoffs – you hear 'Chubb, Chubba Wubba,' all those plays go back to his voice. I've only been here 11 years, so I know a lot of people had him for 25, but it was very cool that we could get that win for him. Coach is going to give the game ball to his family. He deserves every game ball. He is truly a part of this family, and it was awesome to get the win for him."
QB Jameis Winston said Stefanski had shared with the team on Saturday following the news of Donovan's passing that he wanted to get a win so he could give the Donovan's a game ball. As they took the field on Sunday, that sentiment resonated among the players.
"I had chills standing before the national anthem, just seeing his play-by-play and obviously I know the significance that he is to this organization," Winston said. "I'm very honored that Coach (Kevin) Stefanski said yesterday all we want to do is give a game ball to Jim Donovan's family. So, thank you, Jim, for all you've done for this organization. Your family is going to continue to be in my prayers and I'm just happy we were able to do that for him and his family."
