Jamaican-born England footballer Raheem Sterling insists that his new tattoo of an assault rifle has “deeper meaning” amidst criticisms from anti-gun campaigners, who are demanding that the image be removed.
The Manchester City player on Sunday posted a picture of himself on social media site Instagram, training with his England teammates at St. George’s Park, with a tattoo of an M16 assault rifle visible on his right calf.
The post sent social media in a frenzy and became the highlight in many British tabloids, particularly the Sun which put the image on its front page today, with the headline: “Raheem shoots himself in the foot”.
Sterling took to Instagram to explain the tattoo’s significance.
“When I was two my father died from being gunned down to death,” the 23-year-old wrote.
“I made a promise to myself I would never touch a gun in my life time, I shoot with my right foot so it has a deeper meaning,” continued Sterling, adding that the tattoo had not yet been finished.
