Art Donovan on The Tonight Show

[@kyokogodai-ir6hy]

Art was a national treasure. A different time. No one...NOT ONE like him, playing today. Only reason Art would take a knee is so he could balance the beer mug on it, while eating a salami sandwich. Thank you God, for giving us Art Donovan.

[@rfdagreat9207]

I loved Art Donovan. They don’t make people like him anymore. God bless.

[@josephwalther5979]

Greatest football story teller ever. When football was fun.

[@dwp1970]

Always enjoyed Art's stories. I'll have to have a look for his book.

[@man-bagdammit2297]

Amazing! Art Donovan was a hall of famer, both on the field and off of it. RIP

[@shugamouth]

'The guy was indecent!' CLASSIC. RIP Art. You were one of the best.

[@johnnyfoosball3138]

I could listen to Art Donovan stories all day ;;;;; we miss ya Artie

[@martinleavitt6094]

Truer,,words,,never spoken,,well said!!..

[@RickinBaltimore]

Artie Donovan was a Baltimore legend. I got the pleasure to meet him at his Country Club once and he was one of the nicest men you would ever meet. He was just as entertaining here locally when he did his weekly football picks too on WJZ. RIP Art.

[@moehammondmedia]

I was born in raised in Baltimore. I can't count how many times that I ran into Johnny Unitas, Art Donovan, Jim Parker, Lenny Moore and Gino Marcetti on chance encounters. I remember Unitas' grandson played for some basketball league that a friend of mine played for and he'd always be there standing in this little high school gym and when we spoke to him we'd always say his whole name "hi Mr Johnny Unitas." Jim Parker owned a famous bar in my neighborhood I'd see him all the time. I use to see Art Donavan in the local markets and everywhere. Marcetti owned a famous burger joint in our town that believe it or not , was bigger than mc Donald's in our town. He had a Gino's Giant that most Baltimoreans preferred over the Big Mac. Lenny Moore use to come to our school. All hall of famers. Things were very different back then. And they were so humble that I didn't realize how great they were at their professions. Good childhood memories.

[@marckaminsky5608]

Art Donovan was from the Bronx.

[@kyokogodai-ir6hy]

Art may have been from the Bronx, but his heart was in Baltimore.

[@sammyvh11]

I ran into Art once on Falls Road. He was very nice. The guy had hands the size of a catchers mitt. I met Lenny at a CFL game after the NFL fucked us over. I also met Parker at the same place on Falls Road. My mother had some rehab after surgery at Kearnans hospital Unitas was always there working out.

[@bubbaclinton1105]

Close... before it was Gino's it was Ameche's and the burger was "The Powerhouse". They changed to to Gino's because he was better known than Ameche. The Powerhouse was a huge burger at the time.

[@davidr5961]

I enjoyed the stories , he used to tell about, the '58 championship game with the Giants, and Weeb's pre game talk; funny guy

[@christopherluebke8388]

Rest in peace. One of the great storytellers in Sports history, and a Hall of Fame lineman to boot.

[@scottstacey7447]

His dad was famous as well---Arthur Donovan, boxing referee. He refereed a number of Joe Louis' championship bouts, including the Louis-Schmeling bouts.

[@pfhobson]

I ran into Art and his wife last year in Puerto Vallarta where he lives....still a very nice man

[@boomboom48]

Love you Artie.....God Bless your family......you had a great life.

[@troynov1965]

God I loved listening to him tell stories, one of greatest of all time !

[@dstn3488]

I really know you are going to be missed.I know you are in a better place.You and your great comedic effect will be greatly missed.I was glad to have seen you play in Memorial stadium.You all made me proud to be from baltimore.

[@chapame]

One of the all time great story tellers, he'll be missed!

[@nyterpfan]

If you grew up in Baltimore in the 1970's and were a football fan you HAD to listen to a radio show called "Braase, Donovan and Fans." (Ordell Braase was a defensive lineman who played with Donovan on the Colts). Now the type of stuff you just heard on this video clip we were lucky enough to hear EVERY WEEK!! To this day it was the greatest sports talk show of all time--and 90% of it was Artie Donovan telling stories about the old days. I swear if Artie had ever decided to become a stand-up comic he would have been one of the all-time greats!!

[@Bacalao2929]

nyterpfan thanks, thats great, would like to find some tapes of those broadcasts

[@clutions]

+nyterpfan >> AND ... He wouldn't have to make stuff up!

[@hughguidi5570]

Remember those days living in MD. Brasse was also a great player and the other DE on that D line with Gino Marchetti. Listened to their talk show a lot. Used to run into Artie at a K of C somewhere in Baltimore with one of my uncle's who knew him. Had a few beers and lots of laughs.

[@Dana-wq5tp]

Here's one of the shows from 1991. Enjoy! kzbin.info/www/bejne/bn7Qh4eVr5elapI

[@dougbrowne9890]

@@Dana-wq5tp Thanks for sharing with us.

[@charliemac64]

RIP Art Donovan! Great storyteller!

[@mikesglider]

This must be the best interview by any football player...ever.

[@kyokogodai-ir6hy]

This is what you got, in every interview with Art. He was a treasure!

[@replicant5150]

RIP Art, you are a true man's man, and will forever be remembered.

[@JAHISRAEL]

The Legend Art Donovan Still alive and kicking in Baltimore.......man I wish I could live as long as Art (87 right now)

[@douglasmcintyre3297]

What a great character. Defensive tackle is probably the toughest position to play in football. You're often double-blocked by a guard and the center. and you get hit hard on every play, especially inside run plays. Guys like Art Donovan earned every cent they made.

[@bryggreen77]

One of my Pop's favorite from his favorite team back in the day, the Baltimore Colts. This is how my Dad played when he was younger and would teach my younger brother and I all these moves, tricks that we would have been flagged for easily had we played in today's era! Ya, it's safer now but it wouldn't have been as much fun as what we got away with when we played during the late 80's, early 90's. Thanks pop! It was a lot of fun!

[@howardford6991]

Back in the glory days of the NFL and AFL...........when players smoked cigarettes and had a beer or two in the locker room at halftime............and coaches smoked cigarettes on the sideline. Yes, that really happened! New York City accent usually grates on my nerves, but I absolutely LOVE Art's Brooklyn accent! He wouldn't have been the same guy without it.

[@garyolivier792]

Bronx accent. He lived near the grand concourse

[@cards1985]

Art Donovan always gave the best interviews. R.I.P.

[@jacktheripoff1888]

The NFL's greatest storyteller.

[@martinleavitt6094]

And,,then some,,!REST EASY,,#70....LOVE ALLWAYS!!

[@patrickgray5633]

In the grasp Lol

[@danieloconnell999]

He was one of the best to play in the NFL. A real great guy !

[@scv1981]

I didn't remember Art, until I heard his voice. Oh my what stories!

[@sananto6896]

Art got 58 stitches when hit on the face. His team mate played with a broken arm. These dudes were as macho as it gets. Today's athletes break a finger nail and are put on the disable list.

[@paulyakaitis3352]

San Anto that was real football!

[@jamessimms415]

Most were WW2 combat vets. To them, pro ball was literally a game after serving. Art would tell of players smashing empty steel beer cans on their heads.

[@sananto6896]

@@jamessimms415 Yea, even in high school back in the 60's linemen were freaking crazy. They tried to rip your head of even in practice with their own team. I went out of the way to be nice to these dudes. Even so, I ate a lot of grass when they planted my face on the ground..

[@fscap811]

Man, that is GREAT stuff...Thanks for posting

[@WakeUpWorld1]

Folks this is the real deal here, love you Artie.

[@beatlejim64]

One of THE greatest defensive tackles to ever play the game...

[@sananto6896]

Art was a freaking master of comedy without even knowing it. His last comment about player telling refs to give a gun to the dude clubbering them with steel arm made hurt laughing. Great stuff. I am buying his book Fatso.

[@scottstacey7447]

I did buy the book years ago----Unlike Howard Cosell, Donovan really told it like it is. A must for any library. He also talks about his father during the years he refereed championship boxing matches. I never get tired of reading this book. Never a dull moment.

[@vicpecora3892]

You won't be disappointed. Hysterically funny as well as insightful about the game back then.

[@AssociationMusic]

What a great guy...he was always so funny...RIP Art Donovan

[@herntont]

Great stories, we'll miss you Art RIP.

[@beatlejim64]

Played from 1950-1961. GREAT football player with the Colts. First Colt in the H.O.F.

[@bobscott7440]

Played with the Baltimore, not Indianapolis Colts. Where the Colts should still be playing.

[@jeffrobdine]

Baltimore Colts (1950) New York Yanks (1951) Dallas Texans (1952) Baltimore Colts (1953-1961)

[@ekahiway]

the story about billy howton is such a classic... rest in peace art! he just turned 88 couple months ago. what can you say? what a great life full of great stories! heck he outlived both johnny & ed!

[@carriersummoner]

Poor Art "O'Donnel." He's forever going to be remembered as the guy who was so awkward on commentary at the 1994 King of the Ring by asking questions like "How much does dis guy weigh?"

[@rproctor721]

He was so funny and awesome. His NFL Films interviews were hilarious. RIP

[@snowkie]

Classic stuff. Used to love Art Donovan on Carson or Letterman. TV gold.

[@troywright359]

I only know him because of his WWE commentary, but he seems like a nice guy here

[@timberry6392]

One of my life's claim to fames was I got drunk with this guy in Louisville, Ky. in 1990. He was in town for the Paul Hornung cable show. We sat with Art and he had us laughing our asses off !

[@RTF916]

Great stuff. RIP. Sad to see the greatest generation dying off. My was he funny and charismatic.

[@b3j8]

WOW!! I had to calm down enough to even use the keyboard! LOL Art Donovan was one FUNNY guy! God I bet he had people pissin themselves telling stories at parties! RIP Art.

[@jaychuck1626]

Loved these old colts. My grandfather used to work at Pellingtons bar.

[@steelerfan1933]

Would love to have been able to sit down for a beer with Art and with John McKay. Absolutely my 2 favorite football personalities.

[@aresef]

Lots. He was 270-300 while he was playing. According to an anecdote in his obit, the Colts would give him $2k every year he weighed in under 275. That... didn't always happen, according to his obituary in the Sun. And may hey rest in peace.

[@JMFabiano]

Carson vs. Letterman is a real life David and Goliath. We all know how that story ended.

[@assassssasa]

Art Donovan became even more famous from his Carson & Letterman appearances

[@farmerallis]

Hilarious! What a great personality. Rest easy Art.

[@Ikefis]

the last 15 seconds made this viewing worth the wait. Thx

[@un3rgr0und]

what a personality...no football players like him anymore

[@keithdean9149]

Best part is I don't think he's making any of this up.

[@patrickgray1438]

I know lol

[@clutions]

+Keith Dean !!! You can't !!!

[@kyokogodai-ir6hy]

Oh no! That is exactly how it all happened!

[@timallen609]

Keith Dean pretty scripted , just watched another video of him on Carson and a Lot was the same words and such. Great stories but it was scripted definitely with the questions asked by Johnny . Fun to Listen to though for sure but I felt like I heard the same stories in the video I had just watched. Like a stand up show by a comic but funny!

[@turk4824]

Real old school. Classic.👍😁💪

[@metomhub]

I loved Artie's tv show, Johnny Unitas was a regular guest. The old Baltimore Colts were one of the greatest teams ever.

[@jaht3z]

He fought on Iwo Jima during WWII.

[@Go_for_it652]

Mind blowing Mr. Donovan ,Mind blowing.

[@JJ-wk5wh]

No he didn’t. He was stationed on a ship as a gunner, then went to Okinawa and then Guam as an ammo loader for the 50 cal. His book is called Fatso

[@jacksmith5692]

The chicken story was great-Gino Marchetti vs Don Joyce to see who could eat more. Joyce began eating everything, the chicken, the mashed potato's, the peas and Donovan said we said for chrissakes Joyce, just eat the goddamn chicken. Anyway Joyce won eating 37 pieces of chicken to Marchetti's 26 pieces of chicken and then washed it all down with a big pitcher of ice tea filled with saccharin. He was watching his weight!

[@amirasmajlagic9492]

@diver dave x

[@davidr5961]

wasn't there another funny chicken story, years later, involving Bubba Smith eating chicken at MIke Curtis's house

[@sammyvh11]

Beer to Arty was water. I saw him at a local radio show in Baltimore he was using the pitcher as a glass. Never saw him play but my father always told me no one ever ran over him twice. He's also right about Bill Pellington he was tougher than Mike Curtis not as good but he would kill you to win a game.

[@hankfriedman1707]

Real Old School. Former USMC R.I.P. Semper Fi. What a difference from some of the A-Holes who play today !

[@waitewilmore8414]

Hank Friedman Semper Fi. The kneelers are aholes!

[@MaikuWotaharu]

RIP Art Donovan.

[@chrishanoi5657]

He'll be with johnny Unitas now

[@rollotomasi8116]

Chris Hanoi they are buried very close to one another at Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens.......

[@bubbaclinton1105]

Artie and Johnny.... a great tandem!

[@mekaleka22]

RIP Art.. You will be missed..

[@beatlejim64]

He played until 1961...he was a GREAT football player...

[@odisbrown6590]

When you feel down Art will pick you up thanks Art Donovan.....

[@rogerholm2846]

love arts stories as a bears fan he had some great stories playing against them.

[@vincentdefeo5917]

Great player,great man!

[@wannabehendrix]

If you get a chance, read his book "fatso". OMG incredible stories about the first days of pro football.

[@yellowbeard7146]

Love that book!

[@bobrezac4507]

I read it in one day! Could not put it down.

[@Mpshfromlowell64]

Art Donovan has to be the funniest guy in sports....

[@lonewave1]

Why somebody doesn't start making DVD's with these guys [no matter what sport] and sell them . . . I don't know!

[@darksharxz]

Gotta love Art

[@SuperMrMagister]

He travels with his own supply of smoked meats. One of the greats.

[@benmarvin9864]

god rest his glorious soul

[@usa4ever2]

REST IN PEACE ART

[@dvanim8]

Hell of a laugh.. great stuff.

[@stevencummins6096]

Thanks for all the laughs Art!!

[@newl0bstr]

Art Donovan was a contestant on the August 4, 2013 episode of Celebrity Bucket Kickers.

[@sixtiesmusiconly]

My brother in law played against him when he was with the Redskins. He blocked for Norm Van Brocklin. I wonder if he's the guy Art got past when he nailed Van Brocklin.

[@stevefowler2112]

I like how he said he watched "Shula's team"...it wasn't the Dolphins...it was Shula's team...his old coach at the Colts.

[@kyokogodai-ir6hy]

Teammate on the Colts, for 4 years.

[@randyposs6281]

I think he was team mate that early

[@RobertPopik-u6g]

Liked his commercials for the MD. Lottery alot

[@marknan5352]

Artie we sure do miss you !

[@dawnmurphy8504]

I LOVE Art Donovan.

[@geo_ashburn]

Read his book "FATSO". Great Reading.

[@drjwbriand]

ya can't even get your fingers in there anymore!!!!! classic!

[@psadoug]

wow art shouldve done standup. such a funny guy

[@fubar2231]

RIP Art!!!!

[@katieshefchek1862]

Love Art Donovan

[@efrem1]

Miss ya Art.

[@ronfrey5327]

My brothers good friend was Robbie Layne Bobbys Son and you want to talk about wild ? Robbie was best friends with Kieth and Ronnie that would be the Rolling Stones.... For you lightweights out there Robbie drove the Stones into the Cotton Bowl in Dallas in some old Truck van that no one would ever suspect them to be in... Ronnie stayed at Robbies house in Dallas. Im going to just leave it right there ok...

[@johnnyllooddte3415]

art donovan ......what a giant

[@johnnyllooddte3415]

haha i loved these guys... the true heroes

[@usmctanks1]

Art looks cute and cuddly on this show, but in fact he was a mean tackle in the NFL and was not a man you would call "fatso" if you were not a close friend (Or Johnny Carson)

[@elizabethmckenna5397]

Johnny must have loved Art Donovan

[@Doors067]

I met Artie by the time he was older and frail, i remember thinking that guy played defensive tackle? But he was so nice, i dont know if it was just Baltimore but ive never met and old colts player or orioles player from the 60s or earlier who wasnt nice as hell

[@cowboytombo]

That guy was hilarious. RIP

[@elvis-jj1sc]

the best good/great old days!

[@chrischarette8725]

The Rodney Dangerfield of football.

[@GeorgeVreelandHill]

Football was better when guys like Art played.

[@mperales123]

Rest in Peace...

[@nk5350]

This guy is great

[@Meng4Now]

As soon as he walked on, I couldn't help but think "how much does this guy weigh?" Lo and behold, that's the first thing he answers lol