The Cleveland Browns community lost an icon this week when longtime radio voice Jim Donovan passed away. Both the team and the broadcasters calling them paid tribute to him in a big way on Sunday.
Led by Jameis Winston, the Browns pulled off a huge upset of the Baltimore Ravens at home, winning 29-24. Cleveland clinched the hard-fought victory when Winston hit wide receiver Cedric Tillman on a 38-yard touchdown pass in the waning moments of the game. Lamar Jackson tried to engineer a last-minute comeback for Baltimore but couldn’t get it done.
When the clock hit zeroes, the Huntington Bank Field crowd went nuts. The victory comes at a fraught time for the franchise, which is dealing with the Deshaun Watson situation and an uncertain season ahead. Losing Donovan earlier in the week made Sunday’s game, against the franchise that was formerly known as the Browns, even more emotionally charged.
All of that emotion came pouring through in the radio call by Andrew Siciliano and Nathan Zegura as the game ended.
“You can’t even write stories this good, folks”
It was an emotional finish in the radio booth for @NathanZegura and @AndrewSiciliano 📻 pic.twitter.com/Ltpe92dCjH
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) October 27, 2024
“Let’s go. Three seconds. This is it. For the win. Make some noise wherever you can hear the sounds of our voice right now,” said Siciliano. “24-yard line. Shotgun. Browns up, 29-24. Lamar Jackson has the football. Browns rushing four. Lamar flushed out. Lamar chased by Za’Darius. Lamar Jackson avoids it Za’Darius. He’s got to throw it. Directing traffic. Pump fake. Now throwing, end zone, back corner… NO GOOD! INCOMPLETE! The Browns win. 29-24.
“You just knew it. You knew it. You felt it,” said Zegura, voice cracking. “So many things happened in this game that are unexplainable, and it all ended up to a Browns win. This one’s for you, Jim Donovan. The Browns have beaten the Ravens. It is emotional here in Huntington Bay field. What a win. What a moment. You can’t even write stories this good sometimes, folks. Wow.”
“Jim, I know you’re smiling,” added Siciliano, emotions overcoming him. “The Browns beat the Ravens 29-24 for their second win of the year.
“This is how it had to be,” said Zegura. “It’s how it had to be.”
After the game, head coach Kevin Stefanski gave the game ball to Donovan’s family.
This one’s for Jim@Ticketmaster | #DawgPound pic.twitter.com/TBt5ZPPqwa
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) October 27, 2024
Sometimes, sports are pretty darn good. Even in Cleveland.
About Sean Keeley
Along with writing for Awful Announcing and The Comeback, Sean is the Managing Editor for Comeback Media. Previously, he created the Syracuse blog Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician and wrote 'How To Grow An Orange: The Right Way to Brainwash Your Child Into Rooting for Syracuse.' He has also written non-Syracuse-related things for SB Nation, Curbed, and other outlets. He currently lives in Seattle where he is complaining about bagels. Send tips/comments/complaints to sean@thecomeback.com.