Caleb Williams’ ongoing pursuit of a trademark on the “Iceman” nickname given to him has been met with plenty of resistance, including from a Hall of Famer, who notably gave it to himself long before the Chicago Bears QB was even born.
NBA legend George Gervin has taken issue with Williams’ attempt, which also included various other intellectual properties, some of which were adaptations of his given name.
That is just one piece of news keeping the Bears in headlines at this point in the offseason.
Caleb Williams’ ‘Iceman’ Pursuit Leads Bears News Roundup
Bears’ Caleb Williams Gets Unexpected Supporting Argument
Williams clapped back amid the fallout from news about his decision, citing business while responding directly to media personality Skip Bayless’ assertion that the filing was an attempt to “steal” the moniker from the person he [Bayless] considers its rightful owner, Gervin.
However, in Bayless’ argument, he gave Williams a bit of ammunition, at least in the court of public opinion.
Bayless divulged a story about Gervin giving himself the nickname, altering one give to him.
“The origin of the ‘Iceman’ name was when George Gervin played for the Virginia Squires back in the old ABA days. He had a teammate who started calling him ‘Iceberg Slim,’” Bayless told the panel on “The Arena: Gridiron” podcast on March 27. “George didn’t like the connotation of it. And so he said, ‘Okay, I’m gonna tweak it a little bit. I don’t want to be ‘Iceberg Slim.’ I’ll just be ‘Iceman.’
“And it stuck. Okay, so that was original and natural. It just took off, and it’s because George was so cool under fire. Never changed expressions. Okay, well, so is Caleb. But come up with something new, man. You can do better than this.”
That Williams did not give it to himself appears largely lost in the discussion, along with the fact that various others have utilized the name before and after Gervin.
Gervin has defended other IPs he is tied to in the past, making this a situation to monitor.
Ryan Poles in the Desert
While Williams was setting the record straight, Bears general manager Ryan Poles had boots on the ground for the Arizona State Sun Devils’ pro day.
Poles was spotted with new assistant GM Jeff King.
The Sun Devils had several NFL prospects on hand in front of NFL personnel, including wide receiver Jordyn Tyson, who did not work out as he recovers from an injury, but has a session planned for teams in April, and offensive lineman Max Iheanachor.
Iheanachor stands out both in his own right and because of the trend for Poles’ offseason travels thus far.
Iheanachor could be an option for the Bears with the 25th overall pick, if he lasts that long.
That would allow them to move current RT Darnell Wright over to the left side, solving their issues there with Ozzy Trapilo’s recovery from a ruptured patellar tendon. The Bears have Braxton Jones and Theo Benedet, but they have also previously turned away from both.
Poles was in Alabama on Wednesday, where left tackle Kadyn Proctor was in action. Of course, there are other talented players Poles could have had on his watchlist.
Iheanachor said that he has a visit, among many, scheduled with the Bears.
Bears Linked to Rome Odunze’s Former Teammate
The Bears drew attention for their link to Missouri Tigers edge defender Zion Young, who was teammates with wide receiver Luther Burden III, a second-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Now, the Bears are linking up with someone from Rome Odunze’s alma mater.
“Source: Washington iDL Anterio Thompson has a 30 visit scheduled with the Chicago Bears,” “Commanding The Huddle” host Ryan Fowler reported on X on March 27. “Ran a 4.75 40 at 306 lbs with 30 reps on the bench with a 4.38 SS at pro day. Outstanding athlete within the interior.”
Thompson did not play with Odunze, whom the Bears selected with the second of two first-round picks behind Williams in 2024.
Thompson arrived in 2025 after single-season stints at Iowa and Western Michigan.