Hall of Fame defensive tackle Art Donovan dies at 89, won 2 titles with Baltimore Colts

BALTIMORE – Art Donovan, the Hall of Fame defensive lineman who spent much of his 12-year career with the Baltimore Colts, has dead. He was 89.

Donovan died Sunday at 7:20 p.m. at Stella Maris Hospice in Baltimore, according to Kevin Byrne, senior vice president of the Baltimore Ravens.

Back in the day when NFL players made little money, the 6-foot-3, 265-pound Donovan played for the love of the game and the thrill of winning. He helped the Colts win championships in 1958 and 1959.

Donovan broke into professional football in 1950 with the Colts, who folded after his rookie season. He played with the New York Yanks in 1951 and the Dallas Texans in 1952 before the Dallas franchise moved to Baltimore and became the second version of the Colts. He spent the remainder of his career with Baltimore before retiring after the 1961 season.