Pat Tillman Award at ESPYs Sparks Controversy as Prince Harry Receives Honor

At the 2024 ESPYs, Prince Harry was awarded the prestigious Pat Tillman Award, despite facing criticism from Mary Tillman, mother of the late war veteran. The ceremony, held at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California, saw the royal express his gratitude towards the Pat Tillman Foundation and pay respects to the Tillman family, particularly Mary Tillman.

Pat Tillman, a former NFL player who enlisted in the U.S. Army after 9/11 and was tragically killed in Afghanistan by friendly fire, remains a revered figure in the military community.

The award bestowed upon Prince Harry, who is the son of King Charles, was in recognition of his efforts with the Invictus Games Foundation. This annual sporting event is dedicated to wounded, injured, and sick servicemen and women, both active and retired.

During his acceptance speech, Prince Harry, accompanied by Serena Williams at the ceremony, diverted attention away from himself, stating that the award truly belonged to the veterans and service personnel involved in the Invictus Games Foundation.

Mary Tillman, however, expressed shock at the decision to honor Prince Harry, calling him a “controversial and divisive individual” for the award. She believed there were more deserving candidates within the veteran community who lack the financial resources and connections that Prince Harry possesses.

ESPN, in response to the criticism, stood by their decision and clarified that the selection of Prince Harry for the Pat Tillman Award was made in collaboration with the Tillman Foundation. The network underscored the exceptional work carried out by the Invictus Games Foundation and justified their choice to honor Prince Harry.

The Pat Tillman Award, named after the late war hero, is reserved for individuals closely linked to sports who have demonstrated a commitment to serving others in a manner consistent with Pat Tillman’s legacy. Previous recipients of this esteemed award include the Buffalo Bills‘ training staff, Army veteran Gretchen Evans, and Manchester United striker.