Florida Gators redshirt sophomore Anthony Richardson announced Sunday he will shorten his standing “AR-15” nickname to “AR.”
“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,” Richardson wrote in a Twitter statement.
The “AR-15” moniker, which grew popular during Richardson’s breakout last season, merged his initials and jersey number and appeared in his branding and apparel series featuring a scope reticle.
The Gainesville native was a spokesman for the Gainesville Police Department’s gun buy-back program last Fall.
Richardson will be one of three Florida players to speak during SEC Media Days in Atlanta Wednesday.
Contact Brandon Hernandez at bhernandez@alligator.org. Follow him on Twitter @BranH2001.
Brandon Hernandez is currently the enterprise sports writer and sports podcast host for The Independent Alligator. He likes long walks on the sidewalk and watching basketball tape in his off time. You can find most of his work @BranH2001 on X and on The Courtside Podcast on Spotify.
