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America’s addiction to gun violence caused Florida QB Anthony Richardson to drop his ‘AR-15’ nickname


Anthony Richardson

Anthony Richardson
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Certain types of quarterbacks used to be called “gunners”. That nickname isn’t cool anymore.

To date, there have been at least 330 mass shootings in the United States this year. Last year, yes 692. We are on the right track. There’s no pun intended on that last line, but the fact that puns even exist shows just how bad the absurd, irresponsible, and dangerous things have become.

In Tallahassee, a footballer is at least trying to fulfill his role, despite living in a state run by Ron DeSantis. University of Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson, who sports the number 15 on the back of his jersey, recently announced that he’s dropping the “AR-15” moniker and current clothing line’s emblem, as he he changed to “AR”. According to the Gun Violence Archive, AR-15-style semi-automatic rifles or similar firearms have been used in at least six mass shootings this year in which four or more people have been killed. .

At 21, Richardson is mature enough to realize the world he lives in, especially in the age of NIL, as this could hurt his brand and potential revenue streams. I mention his age because 21 is when society considers you “adult”. That’s when you’re allowed to drink because you’re a “responsible adult” at the time. And while that’s often not the case, Richardson’s decision shows his timeless wisdom, despite monetary motives.

Nicknames have always been and will always be part of sports. That’s why the term gunfighter is used to describe people like Brett Favre, as their style of play is electric, erratic and entertaining in the same way that we glorify the shooters of the West. old. In the NBA, Andrei “AK 47 GUN” Initials of Kirilenko and number, not to mention his hometown is Russia, where the AK-47 produced for the first time, made his nickname an easy choice. And in college football, when Cardale Jones burst onto the scene in 2015 as the third quarterback in a streak that took Ohio State to their first and only College Football Qualifier National Championship with shots The No. 12 sports long throw, the nickname of the “12-gauge” is a perfect fit.

But that’s then, and here it is now. And now, players like Richardson realize that just because of your name, initials, abilities, and shirt number can create a catchy and lucrative moniker that makes you a fan favorite, that may not be worth it, regardless of the financial gain.

“After Columbine, after Sandy Hook, after Charleston, after Orlando, after Las Vegas, after Parkland, nothing was done,” President Biden said last month about gun violence. “This time, it can’t be true. This time, we have to actually do something. The problem we face is a matter of conscience and common sense.” Last week, the President welcomed survivors and family members who have been affected by mass shootings to the White House and was interrupted by a protester demanding stronger efforts.

“There are many things today,” Biden said. “It’s proof that, despite those who oppose it, we can make meaningful progress towards gun violence.”

Ironically, when pThe resident made his remarks at the White House, which was a reminder that Washington DC has been at the center of another nickname change in sports related to gun violence.

“My friend was shot in the back by a bullet. The name ‘Bullets’ is no longer appropriate for a sports team,” Abe Pollin, former owner of Washington Wizards said 1995 after Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin was assassinated at a peace rally in Tel Aviv. At the time, DC was one of the most dangerous cities in the country, as Pollin felt that “Bullets” wasn’t the most appropriate name for a team playing in a city where so many people were shot and killed. .

“In the old days, our motto was ‘Faster than a speeding bullet’. That’s how we envisioned it in Baltimore. Today the content is a little different,” Pollin told the Washington Post in 1995. “It connects to a lot of the horrible things people do with guns and bullets. I do not know. We are reviewing it. We will make a decision this summer. “

Nearly 30 years later, Richardson is facing similar things and living in the same world that Pollin once did. And while it can take a while for people to drop the nickname or nickname they’re used to, it will eventually wear off. So like Anthony Richardson switch from “AR-15” to “AR”, I guess the only thing left is to deal with gun control. But sadly, it’s the violent and deadly part of the equation that refuses to grow and change. And with the way things are going, who knows if it will ever happen.



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