(CNN)University of Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson changes his nickname, dropping the nickname “AR-15” because of its association with gun violence.
“While a nickname is just 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 trademark no longer be associated with the assault rifle that carries it.” mass shooting, which I do not condone in any way or form,” the Gators player said in a statement published on his Twitter.
Richardson said that after careful thought and consultation with friends and family, he would no longer use the moniker and would stop using a logo with a crosshair as part of his branding.
“My reps and I are currently working on a rebranding that includes creating a new logo and transitioning to just using ‘AR’ and my name, Anthony Richardson,” he added.
Richardson, who shared time with Emory Jones as a redshirt freshman last season, threw for 529 yards, six touchdowns and five interceptions in seven games. Richardson is expected to be Florida’s first quarterback this season since Jones made the move to Arizona State earlier this year.
CNN has reached out to Florida for comment.
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America’s problem with gun violence was brought to the fore again by an alarming spate of mass shootings, such as those at a convenience store in Buffalo, New York, an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, and at a July 4th parade in Highland Park, Illinois.
AR-style guns have been used in some of the country’s deadliest shootings, including Uvalde, Tulsa, El Paso, Parkland, San Bernardino and Newtown.
According to the Gun Violence Archive, there have been 352 mass shootings in the United States this year as of Monday morning. The Archives and CNN define a mass shooting as an incident in which four or more people are shot dead, not counting the shooter.
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