![]() His self-deprecating humor also was a plus. He became a great speaker and often showed up in various ways on television. Donovan had a knack for telling stories - funny stories - in a funny way. He told stories of the chicken-eating contest, the way certain players liked to party, and everyone would laugh. But Donovan often appeared with people such as David Letterman and Johnny Carson to spin some of his hysterical stories. NFL players often get on nightly talk shows to discuss the Super Bowl or some kind of big-time issue. That defense, combining with quarterback Johnny Unitas (also in the Hall of Fame) and others, was a big reason the Colts were tough for many years.īut Donovan became even more famous after his playing career ended in 1962 and grew into a legend in the Baltimore area - and was well known nationally because of his sense of humor. They had players such as Big Daddy Lipscomb with them and became one of the NFL’s toughest defenses. He played with Gino Marchetti, the defensive end who also earned Hall of Fame honors. The world is not as bright tonight because we lost someone who could make us all smile.”ĭonovan became the first Colt picked for the Hall of Fame. “Baltimore is now without one of its best and someone who was a foundation for the tremendous popularity of football in our area. “We lost a friend, one of the finest men and one of the greatest characters we were fortunate to meet in this community and in this business,” Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti said in a statement. He earned All-NFL honors five straight seasons, from 1954-1958, and played in five consecutive Pro Bowls - even though his pro career didn’t begin until Donovan was 26 because of military duty. 4 at the age of 89.ĭonovan’s father was a famous boxing referee (who also had the same name), and his son grew into one of the NFL’s top defensive linemen during the 1950s and played a big role in helping the Baltimore Colts win back-to-back league titles in 19. His presence in the football world will be missed.Art Donovan, one of the most popular football players ever to play in Baltimore, died Aug. They don’t make ’em like Art Donovan anymore. I always replaced my fluids,” Donovan said. “The only weight I ever lifted weighed 24 ounces. ![]() And although Donovan was always in good enough shape to play, he made no secret of the fact that he didn’t particularly enjoy offseason workouts. I call it gourmet food.”ĭonovan weighed 275 pounds during his playing days, considered huge at the time, and talked about how much he struggled not to go over 275, which would result in a $2,000 fine. In a 1986 interview with David Letterman, he explained his eating habits by saying, “Some people call it junk food. The author of an autobiography titled Fatso, Donovan loved to joke about his weight, and his humorous anecdotes made him a popular talk show guest. A member of the 1950s All-Decade Team, Donovan was a big, strong and powerful defensive tackle who was integral to the Colts’ back-to-back titles in 19. Donovan liked to joke that he was responsible for putting three teams out of business in his first three seasons.īut once he was established in Baltimore, Donovan became one of the best defensive players in the NFL. That team moved and changed its name to the Dallas Texans in 1952, and the team then moved again and became the Baltimore Colts in 1953. He then signed with the New York Yanks in 1951. The original Baltimore Colts franchise drafted Donovan in 1950, and that team folded after his rookie season. ![]() Art Donovan, a Hall of Fame defensive tackle who became known as much for his hilarious persona off the field as for his toughness on the field, has died at the age of 88.ĭonovan died on Sunday of a respiratory ailment, the Baltimore Sun reports.
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