Prince Harry’s ESPY Award Draws Criticism From Pat Tillman’s Mother

Prince Harry is set to receive an award from ESPN at the 2024 ESPY Awards, but not everyone is happy about it.

ESPN announced on Friday, June 27 that the Duke of Sussex has been selected to receive the Pat Tillman Service Award — An award given to honor the legacy of former NFL player and U.S. Army Ranger Pat Tillman.

After the announcement, Pat Tillman’s mother said she was “shocked” that Harry had been chosen as this year’s recipient, according to the Daily Mail.

“I’m shocked that they’ve chosen such a controversial and divisive person to receive this award,” Mary Tillman told the Daily Mail. “There are recipients who are far more deserving of this award.”

Pat Tillman was drafted to play for the Arizona Cardinals in 1998. But following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, Tillman gave up his NFL career and enlisted in the U.S. Army, according to the Pat Tillman Foundation. He died in Afghanistan in 2004 at age 27.

Each year, ESPN honors one individual with the Pat Tillman Service Award. Recipients are selected because they have “a strong connection to sports and have served others in a way that echoes the legacy of,” according to ESPN.

Recipients are typically unsung heroes, like Gretchen Evan, a former U.S. Army command sergeant major who suffered a life-changing injury while serving.

Mary Tillman doesn’t believe Prince Harry fits the profile of a Pat Tillman Service Award recipient.

“There are people who work in the veterans community who are doing amazing things to help veterans,” she told the Daily Mail. “These people don’t have the money, the resources, the connections or the privileges that Prince Harry has. I think those types of people should be recognized.”

ESPN defended its decision to honor Harry with the award for his work with the Invictus Games Foundation as well as his service in the British Armed Forces.

“ESPN, with the support of the Tillman Foundation, honors Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, particularly for the work of the Invictus Games Foundation as it celebrates its 10th year of promoting healing through the power of sport for service members and veterans around the world,” an ESPN spokesperson said in a statement, according to The New York Times.

“While we understand that not everyone will agree with every award recipient, the Invictus Games Foundation does incredible work and ESPN believes it is a cause worth celebrating.”

Prince Harry served for 10 years in the British Armed Forces, including two tours in Afghanistan as a helicopter pilot and forward air controller. He founded the Invictus Games Foundation in 2014, an organization that supports and empowers wounded, ill and injured service members, according to the Invictus Games Foundation website.

After learning he would be receiving an ESPY Award, Harry said the award was “for our entire community of service,” according to People.

When will the 2024 ESPY Awards take place?

The 2024 ESPY Awards ceremony will take place on Thursday, July 11.

The 32nd annual awards ceremony will air on ABC at 6:00 p.m. (MT). This year, Serena Williams will host the ceremony.