Pat Tillman’s mother ‘shocked’ ESPN awarded Prince Harry her son’s award

ESPN faced a lot of backlash when the network decided to award Prince Harry the prestigious Pat Tillman Award this year. It turns out Pat’s mother, Mary Tillman, isn’t thrilled about it either.

At the annual ESPY Awards, the Pat Tillman Award is given to “an individual with a strong connection to sports who has served others in a way that echoes the legacy of former NFL player and U.S. Army Ranger Pat Tillman.” Tillman was, of course, a former NFL safety who enlisted in the U.S. Army after the 9/11 attacks. He was killed by friendly fire in 2004.

Prince Harry to receive Pat Tillman Award at 2024 ESPYs.

(Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

ESPN decided to present the award to Prince Harry this year for his service in the British Armed Forces and his work with the Invictus Games for wounded soldiers. But Mary believes there were better options.

“I am shocked why they chose such a controversial and controversial person to receive this award,” she told the Daily Mail.

“There are recipients who are a much better fit. There are individuals working in the veteran community who are doing tremendous things to help veterans. These individuals don’t have the money, the resources, the connections or the privileges that Prince Harry has I think these types of individuals need to be recognized.

ESPN Faces Backlash From Mary Tillman, Others

Mary is just one of many people who question this decision. Even ESPN host Pat McAfee publicly criticized his employer for “obviously trying to piss people off” with this year’s selection.

READ: Pat McAfee Slams ESPN for Prince Harry’s Pat Tillman Award

Mary Tillman is not involved in the Pat Tillman Award selection process.

(Getty Images)

ESPN, however, claims to have the full support of the Tillman Foundation, of which Pat’s widow, Marie Tillman Shenton, is the president and co-founder.

“ESPN, with support from the Tillman Foundation, pays tribute to Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, in particular 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,” the Worldwide Leader said in a statement.

“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.”

Mary said she was not consulted before the decision to honour Prince Harry, but she has also not been involved in selecting the recipient in the past.