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When you say the name “Iceman” in the context of a sports conversation, one name comes to mind for most people: NBA legend George Gervin.
Gervin made nine consecutive appearances in the NBA All-Star Game from 1977 to 1985, all for the San Antonio Spurs, and was named the game’s MVP in 1980. In 1996, he was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. Gervin is a member of the NBA’s 50th and 75th anniversary lists and is widely considered one of the game’s all-time greats.
But there’s a new challenger to the name: Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams.
Williams, the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, became a star in the league last season when he led the Bears to an 11-6 record and their first NFC North title in seven seasons. In addition, his late-game heroics earned him the moniker “Iceman” from some.
And now he’s trying to capitalize on that name.
Caleb Williams Inadvertantly Disses George Gervin With ‘Iceman’ Trademark Claim
Williams recently filed four trademark applications related to the nickname. Per ESPN, the application involved goods and services related to the name, including athletic sporting goods and equipment, water bottles, T-shirts, sweatshirts, jerseys, hats, eyewear, and downloadable posters and digital trading cards.
Gervin isn’t having it.
“I’ve been the Iceman for 40-something years,” Gervin told ESPN. “I never thought anybody would try to trademark it. He kind of knocked me out the box.”
Four days after Williams’ representation filed for the trademark on March 20, Gervin’s reps responded by filing two trademark applications for “Iceman” and “Iceman 44,” in reference to the jersey number Gervin wore throughout his NBA career.
Gervin Wants To Have A Chat With Williams
But instead of only fighting it out in court, the 73-year-old basketball legend says he’d like to speak with the 24-year-old Bears quarterback about the matter.
“I’m quite sure me and him going to get a chance to talk,” Gervin said. “I can kind of bet on that. We’re both men. I’m an older man. He’s a younger man. Me doing a little research on him, what I found out about him, he respects older athletes.
“I hate it the most because, man, he’s a special young guy getting ready to come up. His potential is great, and he does have ice in his veins. But that name is already taken up.”
Williams did not reply to a request for comment from ESPN.
Last year, Pro Football Hall of Famer Troy Aikman and two-time NFL MVP Lamar Jackson settled a similar dispute over the use of the No. 8.