The Fighting Donovans: The boxing and football family of Professor Mike O' Donovan, Arthur Donovan Sr. and Arthur Donovan Jr.

Back in the golden age of football, before the big, multi-million dollar contracts, and prescription turf, Baltimore Colt and Hall of Fame tackle Art Donovan was one of the all-time gridiron greats. But what most people don't know is his connection to professional boxing. Art's grandfather, Professor Mike O' Donovan (the O' was dropped later) was the middleweight champion of the world and sparring partner of President Teddy Roosevelt. His father, Arthur Donovan, Sr. was a high caliber referee who refereed twenty of Joe Louis' fights including both Schmelling fights.All three generations of Donovans are in their respective Hall of Fame: Mike and Arthur Donovan, Sr. are in the International Boxing Hall of Fame and Art Donovan, Jr. is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Now this gridiron legend speaks his mind in this entertaining and hilarious account of how it really was 'back in the day' in the professional sports of boxing and football.Donovan's recollection of the 'good ol' days' is as close as most of us will ever get to sitting ringside, or sitting on the team bench and listening to the greats talk about the legendary wars and warriors of boxing's and football's golden years.

Author: Kristine Setting Clark,Art Donovan
Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
Published: 07/03/2014
Pages: 494
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 1.44lbs
Size: 9.02h x 5.98w x 0.99d
ISBN: 9781495978913

About the Author
About the Authors: Art Donovan began his professional football career in 1950 as a 26-year old rookie with the Baltimore Colts of the AAFC. He played for Boston College after serving in the Marines during World War II. Donovan was an All-NFL defensive tackle from 1954 through 1958 and played in five Pro Bowls. He was also a vital part of Baltimore's climb to their 1958 and 1959 championship seasons. Art is the son of world famous boxing referee, Arthur Donovan, Sr., and the grandson of former middleweight champion, and personal trainer to President Teddy Roosevelt, Professor Mike Donovan. In 1968 Art was the first Colt to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He resided in Baltimore with his wife, Dottie, of 56 years. Together they have five children and seven grandchildren. Sadly, Art passed away on August 4, 2013 at the age of 89. Dr. Kristine Setting Clark is a San Francisco State University and University of San Francisco graduate, Pro Football Hall of Fame author, and a feature writer for the San Francisco 49ers and Dallas Cowboys' Gameday Magazines. She has authored and co-authored seven other books: Undefeated, Untied and Uninvited - The 1951 University of San Francisco Dons Football Team, I'll Take It Raw! - Bob St. Clair, A Cowboy's Life - Bob Lilly, Legends of the Hall - The Fabulous Fifties, Nothing Comes Easy - Y. A. Tittle, The Fire Within - Jim Taylor, Controlled Violence - Sam Huff, and Football's Fabulous Fifties - When Men Were Men and the Grass Was Still Real. Dr. Clark resides in Northern California and has two grown children and four grandsons. Her eldest grandson, Justin, is Hall of Fame member Bob St. Clair's godson.

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