Pat Tillman’s mother said she was “shocked” to see Prince Harry chosen as the recipient of the 2024 Pat Tillman Award for Service and that there are recipients who “are far more fitting.”
“I am shocked as to why they would select such a controversial and divisive individual to receive the award,” his mother, Mary, told The Daily Mail.
For the past 10 years, the recognition has been given at the annual ESPY Awards show to Purple Heart recipients, Iraq war veterans, Army sergeants, Paralympic gold medalists and, most recently, the Buffalo Bills training staff for their life-saving measures when Bills safety Damar Hamlin went into cardiac arrest.
The award has typically been given to unsung heroes, and Mary told The Daily Mail there were other individuals who “do not have the money, resources, connections or privilege that Prince Harry has” and she felt those types of people should be recognized.
“There are recipients that are far more fitting,” she said. “There are individuals working in the veteran community that are doing tremendous things to assist veterans.”
The Pat Tillman Foundation, which was founded and is run by Pat’s widow Marie, did not respond to a request for comment.
ESPN announced last week Harry would receive the award, citing his impact on the veteran community through The Invictus Games Foundation, which he founded. The Invictus Games launched in 2014 as a sporting event for wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women.
“ESPN, with the support of the Tillman Foundation, is honoring Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, specifically for the work of The Invictus Games Foundation as it celebrates its 10th year promoting healing through the power of sport for military service members and veterans around the world,” an ESPN spokesperson said in a statement.
“While we understand not everyone will agree with all honorees selected for any award, The Invictus Games Foundation does incredible work and ESPN believes this is a cause worth celebrating.”
Former NFL safety Steve Gleason, South Carolina women’s basketball head coach Dawn Staley and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, will be honored during the @ESPYS for their courage, perseverance and service with three special accolades 🏆
More on their awards: https://t.co/b5mCyS5BZ6 pic.twitter.com/aXiPA1li7e
— ESPN (@espn) June 27, 2024
Neither the Duke of Sussex nor the Invictus Games Foundation responded to requests for comment.
Tillman was a star football player at Arizona State before joining the NFL and excelling with the Arizona Cardinals. In the wake of 9/11 terrorist attacks in 2001, Tillman turned down a contract offer from the Cardinals to enlist in the U.S. Army along with his brother. In 2004, he was killed in action during a deployment in Afghanistan in an incident that was later deemed to have been friendly fire, according to investigations by the Department of Defense and U.S. Congress.
The decision to honor Harry was also slammed by ESPN personality Pat McAfee, who said on his show the decision was made “trying to piss people off.”
“When you do something like this, you know the immediate reaction from humans and from sports fans and like people with like just common sense in brains,” McAfee said.
Harry, 39, will be honored alongside former NFL player Steve Gleason — who will receive The Arthur Ashe Award for Courage for his years documenting his experience with ALS — and South Carolina women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley, who will receive The Jimmy V Award for Perseverance.
The ESPYS will be presented on Thursday, July 11.
(Photo: Max Mumby / Indigo / Getty Images)
Carol Dennis is an entertainment aficionado with an eye for all things pop culture. She dives into the glitz and glamour of the entertainment industry, from movie premieres to music festivals. Carol’s passion for storytelling extends beyond her reporting, as she’s an aspiring screenwriter in her free time.
