�鶹����

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams' attempt to trademark his new "Iceman" nickname had a frosty reception from the man who's been known by the moniker for roughly half a century.

San Antonio Spurs legend George Gervin, a 12-time All Star and Basketball Hall of Famer, said he was "caught off guard" by Williams' move to trademark "Iceman," .

"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."

On March 16, Caleb Williams Inc. filed four trademark applications with the United States Patent and Trademark Office related to the nickname, which would cover using the name on sporting goods and equipment, water bottles, clothing, downloadable posters and digital trading cards.

Four days later, Gervin Interests LLC filed two trademarks applications for "Iceman" and "Iceman 44." Gervin, who wore No. 44 in all but one professional season, also went by Ice and Iceberg Slim for his cool on-court demeanor.

Williams had the "Iceman" nickname bestowed upon him during his second season thanks to his late-game heroics. The 24-year-old quarterback led the NFL with six fourth-quarter comebacks and also had six game-winning drives in the regular season. He was at his best in crunch time, unflinching with the ball in his hands; he had the proverbial ice in his veins.

Icemen through the ages

He further cemented his nickname across his two playoff games. In the Wild Card Round against the Green Bay Packers, Williams overcame a 21-3 halftime deficit with a field-goal drive and three touchdown marches in the final frame, his biggest highlight being a fourth-and-8 conversion on which he dropped a perfectly thrown bomb on the run, about to be taken out, into Rome Odunze's hands for 27 yards.

Versus the Rams in the Divisional Round, facing a fourth-and-4 at Los Angeles' 14-yard line while down seven with 27 seconds remaining, Williams scrambled hopelessly back to the 40, pursued by a trio of defenders, before uncorking a prayer of a touchdown to Cole Kmet.

The Bears lost in overtime, but Williams' legend grew.

Filing the trademark applications is a chance to capitalize on a stellar second year, especially with the belief there will be many more comebacks to come. However, some believe Williams has gotten a bit too big for his britches, considering the long-standing legacy of Gervin's Iceman ways.

The Spurs threw support behind one of their franchise heroes on Thursday, posting "" with a picture of Gervin on social media. Media personality Skip Bayless also took Gervin's side. He claimed Williams was the basketballer's title.

Williams with such an accusation, pointing out the decision to trademark "Iceman" is strictly business.

Eventually, the USPTO will have to weigh which application to accept -- Williams', filed first, or Gervin's, backed by his using the nickname years before Williams was even born.

There's also another element that could become a hurdle for both of them: Retired MMA fighter Chuck Liddell, inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame, filed to trademark "Chuck 'The Iceman' Liddell" back in 2023.

His application, with a similar nickname, technically is first in line.

Outside debates will rage on, though Williams and Gervin could presumably discuss the issue and eventually try to come to an agreement of their own.

"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."

In time, perhaps the the iciness between Williams and Gervin can thaw.