Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams shocked the NFL last season as he helped take the Bears to the playoffs for the first time since 2020. His spectacular play during clutch moments earned him the nickname “Iceman” for his cold-blooded performances. Williams has fully leaned into his new moniker. While in preparation for next season, Williams has also been attempting to trademark the “Iceman” name. However, Williams is not the only person interested in capitalizing on the name.
Canadian singer and rapper Drake claimed the same name for his upcoming album. Drake appears to be aware of Williams’ connection to the alias as he seemingly trolled him in a recent social media post.
Drake posted a photo of himself wearing a Green Bay Packers jacket in front of a bunch of ice blocks in downtown Toronto to promote the announcement of the release date for his “Iceman” album.
Drake has been known for rooting for several sports and NFL teams, so wearing Packers’ merchandise feels less like fan promotion for their team and more like a direct shot at Williams.
Nonetheless, the Packers, of course, reposted Drake’s photo, keeping the longest NFL rivalry active and well, even in the offseason. However, despite the Packers poking fun at Williams, it is slightly ironic. The Bears, and by virtue of Williams, ended Green Bay’s season in perhaps his most iconic “Iceman” performance all year.
GettyThe Chicago Bears scored 25 points in the fourth quarter of their 31-27 Wild Card win over the Green Bay Packers last season.
While Williams has seemingly embraced the pseudonym, Drake proved that he’s not the only one looking to cash in on it.
Caleb Williams Responds To George Gervin Following Legal Competition
It was reported in March that former NBA great George Gervin was also attempting to trademark the nickname “Iceman”. Gervin claims that he was the original owner of the moniker. Gervin believed he already owned the rights to the name, but due to an accidental legal situation, he actually didn’t. In response to Williams legal claim, Gervin and his team filed their own in retaliation.
Despite the hostile nature of the move, both parties have claimed it’s purely a financial decision and doesn’t reflect their feelings for each other.
Gervin initially told the Sun-Times in an interview during late March, “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…All I’m saying is: Young fella, we’ve already got one ‘Iceman.’
GettyChicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams has eight fourth-quarter comebacks and seven game-winning drives in his career.
Williams then responded in early April in an interview with Front Office Sports, stating, “It’s all respect to George. I didn’t know [he had the nickname], and I understand maybe what he’s trying to do. We haven’t talked, him and I, and we may talk at some point. But it was nothing between George and I. Like I said, I didn’t know.”
Williams then clarified that his reasoning for filing the initial claim was to help control his image. “It’s more or less people making clothing or things like that. I can’t control what people are making of me or anything like that and putting a name on it. It’s just to control that aspect of it. That was the main reason for doing it.”
Williams was first to file the initial trademark, so even if it takes a little longer to process, it appears he will ultimately come out on top. This whole offseason subplot is a bit surprising, especially given that Williams revealed he didn’t even like the title initially.
Caleb Williams Was Not A Fan Of His Nickname Initially
Given the drama Williams has been facing around all the “Iceman” title, it wouldn’t be that surprising to see him move away from it and attempt to launch a different brand name. Williams even revealed that he wasn’t a fan of the name in the first place during his interview with Front Office Sports.
“At first, I didn’t, per se, like the nickname,” Williams said. “I thought there were cooler nicknames. And then it all kind of came together. My teammates gave me the nickname. My teammates started calling me it around the facility and things like that. I just kind of let it fester and become what it is now. I’ve actually earned a liking of the name.”
Regardless of how the legal side plays out, if Williams continues his late-game heroics next season, the name will begin to become synonymous with him, and that would give Bears fans another reason to be excited for the future.
Bears QB Caleb Williams Seemingly Called Out By Drake In Recent Post