Basketball Hall of Famer George Gervin is contesting a request to trademark the nickname “Iceman” by Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams.
Gervin, an NBA and ABA legend who played for the Virginia Squires, San Antonio Spurs and Chicago Bulls during his 14-year career in the United States, told the Chicago Sun-Times on Wednesday that “we’ve already got one ‘Iceman.’”
“I’ve got nothing but respect for (Williams),” Gervin told the Sun-Times. “He’s already proved greatness, and his potential upside is great. Like an ‘Iceman.’ But that name is taken.”
Williams had the label bestowed upon him after a 2025-26 NFL season filled with late-game comebacks and clutch plays. Rubbing his shoulders as if he were cold became a common celebration for Williams as he led the Bears to the NFC Divisional round, and a pair of trademark applications he filed last week cover the term “Iceman” and a logo featuring the name.
Gervin, however, has used the nickname since teammate Roland “Fatty” Taylor bestowed it upon him during Gervin’s ABA debut in 1973. Gervin began using it for commercial purposes in 1979. Despite decades of using the moniker, however, Gervin never held an official trademark from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office because he thought one was already in place. His manager attributed the oversight to the death of a business associate, according to the Sun-Times.
Once Williams filed his trademark request, Gervin moved to submit his own applications for the use of “Iceman” and “Iceman 44” within the sports realm. Both are seeking the right to use the nickname in a variety of apparel and entertainment services, such as trading cards.
Williams’ trademark requests also include two silhouettes that show an outline of the quarterback throwing a leaping fourth-down pass to Rome Odunze in the Bears’ Wild-Card win against the Green Bay Packers.
Gervin was a nine-time NBA All-Star, five-time All-NBA First Team selection, four-time ABA All-Star and four-time NBA scoring champion between 1977 and 1982. He was chosen for the 50th and 75th NBA anniversary teams, and the Spurs retired his number, 44, in 1987. His 26,595 career points rank 47th all-time.
A highly decorated shooter, George Gervin averaged 26.2 points per game during his career. (Malcolm Emmons / Imagn Images)
After his playing career, Gervin became an assistant coach for the Spurs from 1992 to 1994. A Basketball Hall of Fame induction followed in 1996. In 2022, The Athletic ranked him as the 42nd greatest player in NBA history.
While he never won a championship, Gervin is one of just four NBA guards to average 30 points per game and make 50 percent of his field goal attempts in a season. He shares that distinction with Michael Jordan, Stephen Curry and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Gervin also appeared alongside Timothée Chalamet as a table tennis club owner in 2025’s “Marty Supreme,” which was nominated for nine Academy Awards.
Williams has not commented on the trademark duel, but approved of the “Iceman” title last season.
“It’s interesting, to be honest, when you think of ice, ice is still, ice looks calm, but underneath is pure energy,” Williams said during an interview with “Fox NFL Sunday” in November. “That’s the same mindset I have. In those moments, I feel at my calmest on the outside, but there’s a lot going on inside.”
A decision on the competing applications is unlikely anytime soon. According to trademark attorney Josh Gerben, the trademark process usually takes between 14 and 18 months. The USPTO must review the requests and, if approved, publish them for a 30-day window during which a third party can challenge the registrations.