WCG has learned through a confidential medium that the estate of Harold “Red” Grange plans to file suit against George Gervin to stop referring to himself as “Iceman.” The 73-year-old Gervin is challenging Caleb Williams’ trademark claim for the nickname, saying, “Young fella, we’ve already got one ‘Iceman.’”
Enter the estate of Red Grange.
Known to football historians as the first professional football star, Red Grange was called many things throughout the years, including one of the most famous nicknames
– “The Galloping Ghost,” coined by legendary sportswriter Grantland Rice. The great writer gave Grange the nickname as a way to describe his running style when Rice covered a University of Illinois game, launching somewhat of a mad scramble to see the greatness of Grange in action before his collegiate career ended. Grange went on to sign a lucrative contract with George Halas and the Chicago Bears, who launched a barnstorming tour, often credited as a major inflection point to the credibility of professional football. The Galloping Ghost solidified his legend over the next decade of professional ball.
However, Grange already had a nickname at the time, the Wheaton Iceman. Grange earned the Iceman moniker by, well, working as an iceman delivering giant hunks of ice to Wheaton, Illinois residents in the off-season. Back then, nicknames were often given out based on your side jobs and where you’re from. Mike Ditka, famously “Iron Mike,” was also known as “The Doctor” due to his initials (MD), which held double meaning as he wanted to be a dentist if the football thing didn’t work out. And of course Dick Butkus, the Maestro of Mayhem, named for his love of classical music and his work with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
So, it comes that the Galloping Ghost’s Ghost, hearing Gervin state they already “got one Iceman,” felt the need to set the record straight.
In a statement to be released later today, the Galloping Ghost claims, in part:
“For years, I sat by and watched George Gervin borrow the nickname “Iceman” without saying a word. Then there was the blond fella in the fighter jet movie. I didn’t like seeing Goose die. Makes me tear up every time. Now where was I? Oh yes, Gervin claims that he was going to file a trademark but the death of a friend slowed him down. By what? 50 years? Even the United States patent office isn’t that slow. I’m not even sure Gervin has ever picked up a block of ice – how can he be Iceman? So, I’m filing for the right of the trademark as the first Iceman and if George Gervin doesn’t like it, he can suck an egg.”
He was also irked at the recent “baloney from this Skip Bayless palooka,” adding, “if Skip was truly offended that my fellow Bear, Caleb Williams, was using ”Iceman” due to the historical significance of it being used previously, then why not bring up the man who used it 50 years before Gervin did? Just more banana oil from a gum-beating popinjay.”
The Ghost went on to explain how George Halas supposedly stopped players from filing trademarks on their names, saying the Bears would do it for them and split the profits. The Ghost always assumed the Bears’ share would go to the purchase of a new stadium, and he wasn’t sure if the trademark failed to be filed or if the Bears just funneled all the money into the purchase of a stadium.
He was shocked to learn that the Bears actually, in fact, did not own their own stadium yet and were considering land in Indiana or Arlington Heights.
“Would they be the Hammond Bears? That’s a real booboisie idea. Chicago is the bee’s knees, they should stay there,” the Ghost lamented before the candle flickered out and the medium ended the session.
We’ll have more if the medium can regain the connection, so stay tuned.
