Photo: James Gilbert/GettyFlorida Gators quarterback Anthony Richardson said he would no longer use the nickname “AR-15” because of its link to a semi-automatic rifle of the same name.In astatementpublished Sunday, 21-year-old Richardson said he is dropping the nickname — derived from his initials and No. 15 jersey number — after an AR-15 rifle was used in several mass shootings, including one that led to thedeaths of 19 children and two adultsin Uvalde, Texas, in May.“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 semi-automatic rifle that has been used in mass shootings, which I do not condone in any way or form,” Richardson said on his website andTwitter.“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.“According to theOrlando Sentinel, Richardson’s agent, Deiric Jackson, hinted at the change last week.“We are in discussions right now about what to do,” Jackson told the newspaper. “Anthony does not want his name to be associated with gun violence in any way.“James Gilbert/GettyThe outlet also noted that an AR-15 rifle was used in shootings at Florida’sPulse Nightclubin 2016,Stoneman Douglas High Schoolin South Florida in 2018, and a Buffalo, New York,grocery storein May.ESPNreported that Richardson’s former logo included a scope reticle, a device used when aiming rifles. Richardson used the logo onapparelsuch as sweaters and jerseys.RELATED VIDEO: 52 School Buses — a Mile in Length — Carried Items from School Shooting VictimsRichardson played backup last season but is now the front-runner to earn the starting role this year, theWashington Postreported.
Photo: James Gilbert/Getty
Florida Gators quarterback Anthony Richardson said he would no longer use the nickname “AR-15” because of its link to a semi-automatic rifle of the same name.In astatementpublished Sunday, 21-year-old Richardson said he is dropping the nickname — derived from his initials and No. 15 jersey number — after an AR-15 rifle was used in several mass shootings, including one that led to thedeaths of 19 children and two adultsin Uvalde, Texas, in May.“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 semi-automatic rifle that has been used in mass shootings, which I do not condone in any way or form,” Richardson said on his website andTwitter.“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.“According to theOrlando Sentinel, Richardson’s agent, Deiric Jackson, hinted at the change last week.“We are in discussions right now about what to do,” Jackson told the newspaper. “Anthony does not want his name to be associated with gun violence in any way.“James Gilbert/GettyThe outlet also noted that an AR-15 rifle was used in shootings at Florida’sPulse Nightclubin 2016,Stoneman Douglas High Schoolin South Florida in 2018, and a Buffalo, New York,grocery storein May.ESPNreported that Richardson’s former logo included a scope reticle, a device used when aiming rifles. Richardson used the logo onapparelsuch as sweaters and jerseys.RELATED VIDEO: 52 School Buses — a Mile in Length — Carried Items from School Shooting VictimsRichardson played backup last season but is now the front-runner to earn the starting role this year, theWashington Postreported.
Florida Gators quarterback Anthony Richardson said he would no longer use the nickname “AR-15” because of its link to a semi-automatic rifle of the same name.
In astatementpublished Sunday, 21-year-old Richardson said he is dropping the nickname — derived from his initials and No. 15 jersey number — after an AR-15 rifle was used in several mass shootings, including one that led to thedeaths of 19 children and two adultsin Uvalde, Texas, in May.
“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 semi-automatic rifle that has been used in mass shootings, which I do not condone in any way or form,” Richardson said on his website andTwitter.
“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.”
According to theOrlando Sentinel, Richardson’s agent, Deiric Jackson, hinted at the change last week.
“We are in discussions right now about what to do,” Jackson told the newspaper. “Anthony does not want his name to be associated with gun violence in any way.”
James Gilbert/Getty
The outlet also noted that an AR-15 rifle was used in shootings at Florida’sPulse Nightclubin 2016,Stoneman Douglas High Schoolin South Florida in 2018, and a Buffalo, New York,grocery storein May.
ESPNreported that Richardson’s former logo included a scope reticle, a device used when aiming rifles. Richardson used the logo onapparelsuch as sweaters and jerseys.
RELATED VIDEO: 52 School Buses — a Mile in Length — Carried Items from School Shooting Victims
Richardson played backup last season but is now the front-runner to earn the starting role this year, theWashington Postreported.
source: people.com
