LeBron James has some loyal fans, but the supportive group could consist of about 200 travelling grandmothers.
Thanks to a piece highlighted by ESPN W, The LeBron James Grandmothers’ Fan Club could be invading a city near you.
Alder Chapman, 75, started the fan club in 2006. Now with a few hundred members, you’re likely to find them in Detroit, Chicago or any other neighboring city.
The LeBron James Grandmothers’ Fan Club has been going strong ever since, with upward of 200 members over the years. None of the women is James’ real grandmother, but they feel a special bond for the Cavs’ forward.
“We love him,” says Chapman, who has six grandchildren. “He just feels like one of ours.”
The group is dedicated to supporting its favorite son of Akron, from volunteering at his charity events to cheering him on when he takes the court.
“If you want to see a real Cavs fan, come to one of our game watches,” Chapman says.
Many of its members have followed James since his playing days at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School, including one grandmother who once lived in James apartment complex.
“When the Cavs are on, nothing else is important,” Aleman added. “[LeBron] makes it so much fun. I don’t watch any other sport. And if he doesn’t play I don’t even watch the rest of the game.”
Cavs games hold an extra special meaning for Aleman. In fall 2008, she was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent chemotherapy. She says one of the things that kept her going was watching James play on TV.
“Without those games, it would have been a sad time, but I don’t remember it as sad because of the games and the way he smiled and brought life to me,” she says. “During my cancer treatment, my husband was my hero, but my husband just doesn’t smile like LeBron does.”
