This Florida Gators player doesn’t want to be associated with his nickname. Here’s why
Just a few days before a scheduled appearance in Atlanta as part of the 2022 SEC Media Days, University of Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson announced a change to his personal brand.
Richardson said in a statement Sunday posted to his website’s landing page that he will no longer use the “AR-15” nickname, because he does not want to be associated with the semi-automatic rifle of the same name that has been used in mass shootings.
Richardson’s full statement reads as follows:
“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. 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. 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.”
In May, an AR-15 was used in the shooting deaths of 19 children and two adults at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas.
In July 2021, college athletes were allowed to start profiting off their name, image, likeness through various deals or branding, and Richardson did so with an “apparel line that included jerseys, long-sleeve shirts, wristbands and temporary tattoos,” ESPN reported.
The UF quarterback began wearing the No. 15 jersey last year, which led to the branding move with his apparel line dropping on Aug. 31, 2021.
Other sports stars have gone by their initials and jersey number as an identifying nickname. Some include Tom Brady (TB12), Chris Paul (CP3) and Cristiano Ronaldo (CR7).
Richardson was on the All-SEC Freshman Team in 2021, and played in eight games last season where he had nine total touchdowns. The dual-threat quarterback ran for 401 yards and passed for 529 yards as a redshirt freshman last year.
The Gators’ season opener is Sept. 3 against Utah.
