NBA Hall of Famer George Gervin and Bears QB Caleb Williams File Dueling Trademark Applications on 'Iceman' Nickname

George Gervin, Caleb Williams Credit: Cooper Neill/Getty; Jesse Grant/Getty NEED TO KNOW Caleb Williams has filed a trademark application for his "Iceman" nickname George Gervin, an NBA Hall of Famer, has long gone by the same nickname Gervin said he had no beef with 24-year-old Bears quarterback, "but that name is taken" The Iceman cometh — and he’s trying to take away a nickname long held by an NBA Hall of Fame player. Last week, Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams filed four trademark applications on “Iceman,” the nickname he earned from fans last season for having ice in his veins in numerous come-from-behind victories, according to the Chicago Sun-Times . But the legal move didn’t sit well with a legendary former San Antonio Spurs star who is known by the moniker: George “Iceman” Gervin.

Caleb Williams on the sidelines during the national anthem prior to an NFL divisional playoff game against the Los Angeles Rams at Soldier Field on Jan. 18, 2026 in Chicago. Credit: Brooke Sutton/Getty “I’ve got nothing but respect for [Williams],” Gervin, 73, told the Sun-Times .

“He’s already proved greatness and his potential upside is great. Like an ‘Iceman. ’ But that name is taken.

” So, four days after Williams filed the applications, Gervin also moved to trademark “Iceman,” as well as “Iceman 44,” in reference to his jersey number. According to the application, the nickname was first used by him in commerce in 1979, the San Antonio Express-News reported . At least one member of Gervin’s camp, Jerald Barisano, president/CEO of Gervin Global Management, said he had always believed the name had been trademarked, per the Sun-Times .