Anthony Richardson wrote Sunday that he will no longer be using the “AR-15” nickname and branding because of the wave of mass shootings in the United States.
The Florida Gators QB took to social media and released a lengthy statement.
“After discussions with my family and much thought, I have decided to no longer use the nickname “AR-15″ and the current apparel line logo, which features a scope reticle, as part of my branding,” the statement read.
“While a nickname is only a nickname and “AR-15” was simply a representation of my initials combined with my jersey number, it is important to me that my name and brand are no longer associated with the assault rifle that has been used in mass shootings, which I do not condone in any way or form. My representatives and I are currently working on rebranding, which includes the creation of a new logo and transitioning to simply using “AR” and my name, Anthony Richardson.”
The AR-15 and other semi-automatic rifle types were used in “at least six of the 14 mass shootings this year in which four or more victims died, according to the Gun Violence Archive,” per Ashley R. Williams of USA Today.
Richardson is entering his sophomore season after playing sparingly last year as a redshirt freshman.
The 21-year-old split time with Emory Jones as a redshirt freshman last season, throwing for 529 yards, six touchdowns and five interceptions while completing 59.4 percent of his passes across seven games.
