ESPYS Controversy: Prince Harry Receives Pat Tillman Award Despite Criticism

Prince Harry was honored with the prestigious Pat Tillman Award at the 2024 ESPYs, held in Hollywood, California, on Thursday night. The decision to select the royal as the recipient sparked controversy, particularly due to criticism from Mary Tillman, the mother of the slain veteran Pat Tillman.

In his acceptance speech at the Dolby Theatre, Prince Harry extended gratitude to the Pat Tillman Foundation and paid tribute to the Tillman family, emphasizing his respect for Mary Tillman and her advocacy for Pat’s legacy.

Pat Tillman, a former NFL player who joined the U.S. Army post-9/11 and tragically died from friendly fire in Afghanistan, is the namesake of the esteemed award given to the 39-year-old son of King Charles.

The award was bestowed upon Prince Harry for his significant contributions to the Invictus Games, an international sporting event that he founded to support wounded, injured, and sick servicemen and women, both active duty personnel and veterans.

At the ESPYs ceremony, Prince Harry emphasized that the award was not just for him but for all the participants and beneficiaries of the Invictus Games, transcending self-recognition to highlight the collective impact of the initiative.

Despite the accolade, Mary Tillman expressed shock and disagreement over the selection of Prince Harry for the Pat Tillman Award, questioning why a controversial and divisive figure was chosen. She suggested that there were more fitting recipients within the veteran community.

ESPN, in response to the criticism, defended the decision, stating that the selection was made in collaboration with the Tillman Foundation and lauding the impactful work of the Invictus Games Foundation, which the award acknowledged.

The Pat Tillman Award at the ESPYs is designed to honor individuals who embody Tillman’s legacy through service, particularly those with a strong connection to sports and a commitment to supporting others. Previous recipients include sports teams like the Buffalo Bills, veterans like Gretchen Evans, and athletes like Manchester United‘s star player.