Backlash grows after Prince Harry was named as the recipient of the Pat Tillman Award for Service last week

The decision to award Prince Harry the Pat Tillman Award for Service at the 2024 ESPYs has been met with criticism from Mary Tillman, the mother of Pat Tillman, after whom the award is named. Pat Tillman was a former NFL player who left his football career to enlist in the US Army following the 9/11 attacks and was killed in Afghanistan in 2004. 

Harry will receive a memorial award at the ESPY Awards

Mary Tillman expressed her surprise and disappointment, stating that she was not consulted about the decision and questioning the choice of Prince Harry, whom she described as a "controversial and divisive" figure.

The award honours Pat Tillman (pictured) whose mother, Mary, said she was not consulted

She believes that there are more suitable recipients who have made significant contributions to the veteran community without the resources, connections, or privilege that Prince Harry has. Mary Tillman emphasized that these individuals deserve recognition for their efforts. The controversy highlights differing opinions on Prince Harry's suitability for the award, despite his work with the Invictus Games, an initiative that supports wounded veterans through sports.

Mary Tillman, mother of the late Pat Tillman, has expressed her dissatisfaction with the decision to award Prince Harry the Pat Tillman Award for Service at the 2024 ESPYs. She argues that there are other individuals in the veteran community who are more deserving of the honor. Mary emphasized that many of these individuals, who are doing remarkable work to assist veterans, lack the financial resources, connections, and privilege that Prince Harry possesses. She believes that these unsung heroes should be the ones recognized by the award.

The ESPY Awards, organized by ESPN, have historically honored unsung heroes with the Pat Tillman Award. The award is named after Pat Tillman, an American football player who left his NFL career to join the U.S. Army following the 9/11 attacks and was later killed in Afghanistan. Previous recipients of the award have been individuals or groups who have made significant contributions to their communities or demonstrated extraordinary acts of bravery and service.

Last year, the Pat Tillman Award for Service at the ESPYs was given to members of the Buffalo Bills training staff, who were recognized for their heroic actions in reviving a player on the field. This year, ESPN announced that Prince Harry would receive the award for his "tireless work in making a positive impact for the veteran community through the power of sport" with his Invictus Games.

Members of the Buffalo Bills American football team accepting the Pat Tillman Award for Service. Training staff revived a dying player on the field

However, the decision to honor Prince Harry has been met with backlash. Critics argue that his involvement in various controversies makes him unsuitable for an award of this magnitude. A petition has been launched, demanding that ESPN reconsider their decision. The petition claims that awarding this honor to Prince Harry diminishes the value of the award and disrespects Pat Tillman’s memory. Those opposed to the decision believe that there are more fitting recipients who embody the spirit of service and sacrifice associated with the award.

Critics of ESPN's decision to award Prince Harry the Pat Tillman Award for Service argue that it diminishes the value of the award and disrespects Pat Tillman's memory. They believe that Prince Harry does not reflect the intent of the award, which honors service and sacrifice.

Pat Tillman, the award's namesake, was a former NFL player who gave up a lucrative career with the Arizona Cardinals to enlist as an Army Ranger following the 9/11 attacks. Tillman served in Iraq and Afghanistan and was tragically killed by friendly fire in 2004. He was posthumously awarded the Silver Star and Purple Heart for his bravery and sacrifice.

Mary Tillman, Pat Tillman's mother, and other critics feel that the award should go to individuals who embody the spirit of selfless service that Pat Tillman represented. They argue that many unsung heroes in the veteran community, who lack the resources and connections of Prince Harry, are more deserving of this recognition.

The decision to award Prince Harry the Pat Tillman Award for Service has ignited further controversy, with critics like Tania Smith voicing strong objections. Smith, a signatory of the petition against the award, stated that "Pat Tillman embodied service and sacrifice, doing his patriotic duty," while asserting that Prince Harry "represents none of these qualities." She criticized Harry for publicly disrespecting his family and leaving his royal duties, arguing that he is unworthy of the award.

An anonymous source expressed the family's hurt over not being consulted, emphasizing that Pat Tillman was a unifying force for good, while Harry is seen as divisive. The source added that many unsung heroes are far more deserving of this recognition.

In response to the backlash, a spokesman for ESPN explained that the decision was made with the support of the Tillman Foundation. They are honoring Prince Harry specifically for his work with the Invictus Games Foundation, which is celebrating its 10th year of promoting healing through sport for military service members and veterans globally. The spokesman acknowledged that not everyone would agree with the choice of honorees but emphasized that the Invictus Games Foundation's work is significant and worth celebrating.