So long Fatso, we hardly knew ye.

[Ace Boobtoucher]

Art Donovan, hall of fame defensive tackle for Baltimore Colts, dies at age 89

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-s...fensive-tackle-baltimore-colts-005848483.html

Art Donovan was probably better known for his funny stories about playing in the NFL than actually playing in the NFL.

It might say something about how good of a storyteller Donovan was that he overshadowed his own impressive playing career.

Donovan died at the age of 89. Donovan was a longtime defensive tackle for the Baltimore Colts, and a Pro Football Hall of Fame member. News of his death spread during the Hall of Fame preseason game on Sunday night.

Donovan had a unique road to NFL stardom, which came through in some of his famous stories. He was a 26-year-old rookie. A stint in World War II pushed his football career back. He was on three teams his first three pro seasons, before he finally stuck with the Colts in 1953.

He got a late start, but made up for it. From 1954-57, Donovan was a first-team All-Pro every year. He was second-team All-Pro in 1958 and 1960. He retired after the 1961 season. He was part of Colts championship teams in 1958 and 1959, the first two title teams in Colts history, and played in the famous NFL Championship Game against the Giants in Yankee Stadium at the end of the 1958 season. He was the first Colts player elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Donovan's laughter and delivery made him even more famous after his playing career was done. He was a regular on television, including 10 guest appearances on David Letterman's talk show, according to the Baltimore Sun.

Donovan died of a respiratory ailment, the Sun reported.

"The only weight I ever lifted weighed 24 ounces," Donovan said in one of his many one-liners, according to the Sun. "It was a Schlitz. I always replaced my fluids."

The first time I was exposed to the wit of Art Donovan was during one of his numerous appearances on Late Night with David Letterman in the early 1980's. His anecdotes about playing in the NFL during the 1950's were colorful, funny and a little low brow. He seemed to enjoy life and the limelight. I looked forward to his visits to the show more than any other guest, with the exception of Bill Murray.

Rest in peace, fatso.

 

[Jack Davenport]

Loved Art Donovan and like you, I first became aware of him from Late Night with Letterman.

R.I.P

 

[Sam Fisher]

 

[feller469]

He was an awesome interview and fun guy to listen to. He will be missed