The Unofficial Flyers Grandma: Cam Atkinson's 'Grandma Marge' a hit with hockey fans

Greenwich native Cam Atkinson is making a name for himself in his first year with the Philadelphia Flyers. But it's another member of his family who's captured the hearts of Flyers Nation without even scoring a goal--his 87-year-old grandma, Margaret Robben.

News 12 Staff

Oct 29, 2021, 5:22 PM

Updated 846 days ago

Share:

Greenwich native Cam Atkinson is making a name for himself in his first year with the Philadelphia Flyers. But it's another member of his family who's captured the hearts of Flyers Nation without even scoring a goal--his 87-year-old grandma, Margaret Robben.
"Grandma Marge has obviously been one of my biggest supporters since day one. You know, I think she'll take all the credit for my athletic ability," Cam said.
"I've been watching him all his life," Grandma Marge told News 12.
Over the years she's proudly displayed Cam's team colors wherever he played.
Cam went to Avon Old Farms for high school, then earned a hockey scholarship to Boston College.
He was drafted in the sixth round and spent 10 years with the Columbus Blue Jackets where he emerged as an All-Star.
The 5 feet, 8 inches tall, 178-pound forward was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers in the summer.
These days, Marge lives at Edgehill retirement community in Stamford where she's still Cam's biggest cheerleader.
A few months ago, Cam gave her a gift -- his first Flyers jersey, which he'd signed.
"I wanted to take a selfie," Marge explained. "And I put it on and tried to take the selfie, and I said, 'Well, it doesn't say Atkinson on the front.' So I took it off, I turned it around, and I put it on backwards so I could take the selfie."
Marge posted the picture on Twitter -- which Cam retweeted to his more than 56 thousand followers -- writing "My Grandma Marge looks good in orange and black." And suddenly Grandma Marge was an internet sensation among Flyers fans.
"It just went viral," Cam said.
"They were coming in tweet tweets for two days, one after the other after the other, saying some marvelous things," Marge tells News 12. "2,500 of them sent me tweets."
One wrote, "Grandma Marge is already a Philly legend."
Another added, "Now the Flyers need to win the cup for Grandma Marge."
A third chimed in, "Somebody buy her a cheesesteak."
Marge is no stranger to social media -- despite her age.
"I wanted to be part of my grandchildren's lives, and the only way you can do that is if you know what they're doing, you go where they go."
She's on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram -- even TikTok. But going viral -- that's all new.
"I said, 'Cam, I can't wait till it's over.' He said, 'Grandma, you've just begun.'"
Cam wasn't kidding. Soon a T-shirt company made a line featuring Grandma Marge, further endearing her to Flyers Nation.
"I think they miss their own grandma, and I represented to them a kind of joy that was coming to Philadelphia," Marge says.
Because of that popularity, Marge scored an invite from the Flyers to opening night on Oct. 15.
Cam would be making his debut on the ice, and the organization wanted Grandma Marge to as well.
"I wanted to put on ice skates and skate out to Gritty, but my kids said, 'No way,'" Marge told us.
So, she and about 50 family members and friends traveled by train, plane and car to the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. They went to cheer on Cam during the game and Marge during the second intermission. That's when she rode the Zamboni around and around, sporting her Atkinson jersey backward, before a crowd of 19,338.
"It was fun! It was really fun!" Marge said.
"It's just a special moment--a night like tonight, her going on the Zamboni. She deserves it all," Cam shared with News 12.
You could call her the unofficial grandma for Flyers fans, and for now, she's just along for the ride.


More from News 12
1:55
Tribute held for survivors and victims of high-profile violent Bronx crimes

Tribute held for survivors and victims of high-profile violent Bronx crimes

1:54
Temperatures return to the 60s on Friday for NYC

Temperatures return to the 60s on Friday for NYC

0:24
Councilmember Marmorato meets with Home Depot staff to discuss security measures

Councilmember Marmorato meets with Home Depot staff to discuss security measures

2:03
Council Member Sanchez introduces building inspection, integrity bills after Billingsley Terrace collapse

Council Member Sanchez introduces building inspection, integrity bills after Billingsley Terrace collapse

1:34
MTA rolls out multibillion-dollar plan to protect transit system from major storms

MTA rolls out multibillion-dollar plan to protect transit system from major storms

1:53
Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

0:30
Gov. Hochul announces funding to aid flood-prone communities

Gov. Hochul announces funding to aid flood-prone communities

1:35
NYPD: Multiple armed suspects wanted for string of robberies on Bronx train

NYPD: Multiple armed suspects wanted for string of robberies on Bronx train

2:02
Exclusive: Animal rescue group stepping in to help cats in danger of being mauled

Exclusive: Animal rescue group stepping in to help cats in danger of being mauled

0:05
Baseball's oldest living major leaguer, former Yankee Art Schallock, is turning 100

Baseball's oldest living major leaguer, former Yankee Art Schallock, is turning 100

1:54
Bronx Children's Museum offers familiar fun, valuable education for youth and families

Bronx Children's Museum offers familiar fun, valuable education for youth and families

0:19
NYPD: Woman wanted for punching another woman, stealing her phone in Highbridge

NYPD: Woman wanted for punching another woman, stealing her phone in Highbridge

2:07
Council Member Feliz plans to tackle rising vacant storefronts in the Bronx

Council Member Feliz plans to tackle rising vacant storefronts in the Bronx

2:04
Multiplex Cinemas in Concourse Plaza set to close next month

Multiplex Cinemas in Concourse Plaza set to close next month

1:47
Libraries could see new changes following no reversal of $58.3 million budget cut

Libraries could see new changes following no reversal of $58.3 million budget cut

1:46
NYCHA resident says boiler issue causing safety and health concerns

NYCHA resident says boiler issue causing safety and health concerns

2:25
Parked car left in shambles; video shows car smash into it multiple times

Parked car left in shambles; video shows car smash into it multiple times

1:42
New community center focuses on supporting former male inmates on road to recovery

New community center focuses on supporting former male inmates on road to recovery

1:35
The Bronx Museum of Arts new exhibit showcases NYC artists from fellowship

The Bronx Museum of Arts new exhibit showcases NYC artists from fellowship

1:59
NYPD: Fordham shooting kills 34-year-old man, leaves another man critical

NYPD: Fordham shooting kills 34-year-old man, leaves another man critical