“While a nickname is just a nickname and“ AR-15 ”was simply a representation of my initials combined with my t-shirt number, it’s 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 notice in any way or form, “the Gators player said in a statement posted on his Twitter.
Richardson said that after much thought and consultation with friends and family, he would no longer use the nickname and would stop using a logo with a lattice grid as part of his brand.
“My reps and I are currently working on the brand change, which includes creating a new logo and transitioning to simply using‘ AR ’and my name, Anthony Richardson,” he added.
Richardson, who split time with Emory Jones as a red-year freshman last season, threw 529 yards, six touchdowns and five interceptions in seven games. Richardson is expected to be Florida’s starting quarterback this season as Jones moved to Arizona state earlier this year.
CNN has contacted Florida for comment.
READ: 3 people killed and 2 injured during a shooting at an Indiana mall. The U.S. problem with armed violence has once again been highlighted by an alarming increase in mass shootings, such as those at a supermarket in Buffalo, New York, an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, and in a parade in the fourth. July in Highland Park, Illinois.
AR-style weapons have been used in some of the deadliest shootings in the country, including Uvalde, Tulsa, El Paso, Parkland, San Bernardino and Newtown.
There have been 352 mass shootings in the United States this year as of Monday morning, according to the Arms Violence Archive. The archive and CNN define a mass shooting as an incident in which four or more people are shot, not including the shooter.