( CNN ) -- Baltimore Colts defensive tackle Art Donovan , a hall of famer who spent his later years regaling television audiences with amusing anecdotes about his time in the NFL , has died . He was 88 . `` The world is not as bright tonight because we lost someone who could make us all smile , '' Baltimore Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti said Sunday night . Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay also weighed in . `` Art Donovan..RIP..what a colorful , big-hearted man n Baller ! '' Irsay said in a post to his official Twitter account . `` Tremendous contributor to early building of the greatest league n all of sports . '' The Colts moved from Baltimore to Indianapolis in 1984 . The cause of Donovan 's death was not immediately disclosed . Storied career . Donovan played in the NFL for 12 seasons , starting at age 26 after serving in World War II . He led the Colts to the world championship in 1958 and 1959 . The 340-pound defensive lineman also laced up his football cleats for the New York Yankees and Dallas Texans , both now defunct . Donovan played in five Pro Bowls and was selected All-NFL five consecutive years -- 1954 through 1958 . He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1968 . `` The Pro Football Hall of Fame is saddened to learn of the passing of Baltimore Colts great Art Donovan , '' said Steve Perry , hall of fame president and executive director . `` Art was a true legend of professional football and he will be deeply missed . '' Jovial and straightforward , Donovan appeared in TV commercials and co-wrote a book in 1987 with Bob Drury called `` Fatso : Football When Men Were Really Men . '' During the book tour , Donovan appeared on `` Late Night with David Letterman '' in 1988 . `` Have your read the book ? '' Letterman asked . `` No , not really , '' Donovan admitted to chuckles from the audience . `` Would you recommend that people buy this book ? '' Letterman continued . `` I do n't know , I guess so , '' the affable Donovan deadpanned . People we lost in 2013 .
Donovan played in NFL for 12 seasons . He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1968 . Comment: The cause of Donovan 's death was not immediately disclosed .