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The Chicago Bears 11-5 record was their best since their 12-4 season in 2018.
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams has caught some heat for his ‘cold’ pursuit of a copyright for the “Iceman” nickname, and his list of his detractors now includes the San Antonio Spurs.
The NBA franchise took to social media on Friday, March 27 amid the hubbub in defense of George Gervin, long known colloquially as the “Iceman” both during and after his Hall of Fame basketball career.
“There’s only one Iceman,” the Spurs captioned a photo of Gervin that they posted to their official team X account.
Gervin played four years with the Spurs in the ABA and another nine seasons in San Antonio after the NBA merger. He played his final NBA campaign with the Chicago Bulls in 1985-86 before playing one international season in Spain the following year ahead of his retirement.
Across his ABA-NBA career, Gervin averaged 25.1 points and led the league in scoring on four occasions, putting up north of 30 points per outing twice. He also averaged 5.3 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.2 steals per contest and earned 12 All-Star appearances. Gervin finished top-five in MVP voting three times (second in 1978 and 1979, as well as third in 1980 and fifth in 1981).
George Gervin Has Challenged Caleb Williams’ Attempt to Copyright Popular Nickname
GettyFormer San Antonio Spurs superstar George Gervin.
Gervin recently presented a challenge to Williams’ bid for a copyright to the nickname “Iceman.”
“Williams submitted four trademark applications, two for the Iceman nickname, with one being a unique design, and two for the silhouette of the off-balance throw,” trademark attorney Josh Gerben posted to X on March 17. “Assuming the applications get approved, Williams plans to use both trademarks for footballs, apparel, sunglasses, trading cards, and more.”
Williams, the former No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 draft, has started all 34 regular-season games for the Bears since joining the NFL two years ago. He also helped lead the team to the NFC North Division title in 2025, its first since 2018. Chicago captured its first playoff win in 15 years with Williams under center, besting the longtime rival Green Bay Packers in Round 1 in January.
For his career, Williams has completed 60.3 percent of his passes for 7,483 yards, 47 TDs and 13 INTs. He has also rushed the football for 877 yards and three scores on 5.6 yards per carry.
Gervin recently voiced his respect for Williams, but told him to go looking elsewhere for a moniker.
“I’ve got nothing but respect for [Williams],” Gervin explained. “He’s already proved greatness, and his potential upside is great — like an ‘Iceman.’ But that name is taken.”
“All I’m saying is — young fella, we’ve already got one ‘Iceman,’” Gervin added.
Caleb Williams Broke Silence on Criticism for Pursuit of ‘Iceman’ Copyright
GettyChicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams.
Williams spoke out about the criticism he has received for trying to copyright the nickname, specifically calling out sports commentator Skip Bayless.
“I’m a Caleb Williams fan. But I was a much bigger Iceman Gervin fan, and I’m offended Caleb and Co. are trying to steal George’s all-time great nickname,” Bayless posted to X on Friday, March 27. “I unleash on today’s Arena Gridiron 2:30 [ET].”
Williams dismissed Bayless’ caveat of fandom and called him out for a lack of business acumen.
“[I don’t care] about where your fandom stands,” Williams responded on X. “I was trying to give you and everyone else the benefit of the doubt. About knowing business and being smart about it. But I guess not. Foolish of me! Also words matter, Skip Bayless. ‘Steal.’ Enjoy that podcast.”
Max Dible covers the NFL, NBA and MLB for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Chicago Bears and Cleveland Browns. He covered local and statewide news as a reporter for West Hawaii Today and served as news director for BigIslandNow.com and Pacific Media Group’s family of Big Island radio stations before joining Heavy. More about Max Dible
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