By Darin - Bullet Statement: From the battlefields of World War II to the trenches of the gridiron, Art Donovan anchored the legendary Baltimore Colts defense with Hall of Fame power and a charismatic personality.
ART DONOVAN
College Career
Arthur James “Fatso” Donovan Jr. was born on June 5, 1924, in The Bronx, New York. Growing up in an athletic family—his father was a famous boxing referee and his grandfather a world middleweight champion—Donovan originally accepted a football scholarship to the University of Notre Dame in 1942. However, after just one semester, duty called. He left school to enlist in the United States Marine Corps, serving four years in the Pacific Theater during World War II, where he survived intense combat at Luzon and Iwo Jima. Upon returning from the war, Donovan resumed his collegiate gridiron journey at Boston College, where he completed his degree and solidified his status as a ferocious, agile tackle.
Road to the Pro Game
Donovan’s entry into professional football was unconventional, matching the turbulent landscape of pro leagues in the late 1940s and early 1950s. Originally drafted by the New York Giants in the 22nd round of the 1947 NFL Draft, he did not sign. He officially entered the pro ranks in 1950 with the original, short-lived Baltimore Colts franchise.
When that franchise collapsed after his rookie year, Donovan became a football nomad. He suited up for the New York Yanks in 1951 and moved with the team assets to become a Dallas Texan in 1952. The Dallas franchise folded as well, leading Donovan back to Maryland in 1953 with the newly established Baltimore Colts franchise, where he would finally find a permanent home.
Football Legacy
Once settled in Baltimore, Donovan transformed into the premier defensive tackle of the 1950s. Standing 6 feet 2 inches and weighing 263 pounds, he combined brute strength with a surprisingly quick burst off the line. Alongside Hall of Fame teammates like Gino Marchetti, Donovan anchored a dominant defensive line that paved the way for Baltimore’s back-to-back NFL Championships in 1958 and 1959. The 1958 title game against the New York Giants, widely known as “The Greatest Game Ever Played,” cemented Donovan’s place in football lore. Off the field, his crew cut, jovial demeanor, and storytelling ability made him one of the sport’s first breakout media personalities.
Accolades, Awards, and Career Stats
Over a resilient 12-year professional career, Donovan proved to be incredibly durable, playing in 138 games and starting 136 of them. Because sacks and tackles were not officially recorded during his era, his statistical dominance is best measured by his peerless collection of honors and takeaways:
- 2× NFL Champion (1958, 1959)
- 5× Consecutive Pro Bowl Selection (1953–1957)
- 4× First-Team All-Pro Selection (1954–1957)
- 2× Second-Team All-Pro Selection (1958, 1960)
- NFL 1950s All-Decade Team Member
- 8 Career Fumble具 Recoveries and 1 Safety
- Pro Football Hall of Fame Inductee (Class of 1968)
Donovan was the first member of the Baltimore Colts franchise to be enshrined in Canton. His iconic No. 70 jersey was retired by the Colts, and his legacy remains etched in the Boston College Varsity Club Hall of Fame and the Baltimore Ravens Ring of Honor.