The mother of Pat Tillman, Mary Tillman, has expressed her discontent over ESPN’s decision to award Prince Harry the 2024 Pat Tillman Award for Service at this year’s ESPY Awards. Mary Tillman stated that she was not consulted by ESPN regarding the decision to honor the estranged son of King Charles III with the award named after her son, a San Jose-reared NFL star and war hero who was killed in Afghanistan.
Mary Tillman voiced her concerns in a statement to the Daily Mail, saying, “I am shocked as to why they would select such a controversial and divisive individual to receive the award.” She believes that the award should go to someone less famous, as has been the tradition since the award’s inception in 2004. The award was established to honor her son, who left a $3.6 million contract with the Arizona Cardinals to enlist in the Army Rangers after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Pat Tillman was killed by friendly fire in Afghanistan in April 2004.
Mary Tillman emphasized that there are individuals “far more fitting” for the award, people who “do not have the money, resources, connections, or privilege that Prince Harry has.” She added, “I feel that those types of individuals should be recognized.”
ESPN defended its choice, stating that the network had the support of the Pat Tillman Foundation, which was founded in 2004 to honor Pat Tillman’s legacy. The network explained that the Tillman Award is “given to a person with a strong connection to sports who has served others in a way that echoes the legacy of the former NFL player and U.S. Army Ranger.” ESPN highlighted Harry’s service in the British armed forces, including two tours of Afghanistan, and his work founding The Invictus Games, an international sporting event for wounded, injured, and sick active-duty service members and veterans.
“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,” ESPN’s statement read.
However, Mary Tillman pointed out that Harry has become a divisive figure in popular culture. While he is admired by many for stepping away from royal life and creating a new life in California as a media mogul, philanthropist, and mental health advocate, he is also criticized by others. Many in the U.K. and the U.S. view him as someone trying to cash in on his royal name by criticizing his family and the monarchy in interviews, a Netflix documentary, and his memoir “Spare.”
The decision to award Harry the Pat Tillman Award has also faced backlash from ESPN’s own star sports analyst, Pat McAfee, and organizers of a petition that has garnered over 28,000 signatures asking ESPN to reconsider. On his show, McAfee questioned, “Why (do) the ESPYs do this (expletive)?” He criticized the ESPYs for appearing to pander to Harry, “who I don’t even think is a prince anymore.”
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, is set to receive the award for his work creating the Invictus Games, which celebrates its 10th year promoting healing through the power of sport for military service members and veterans around the world. The ESPY Awards will be televised on July 11, hosted by retired tennis star Serena Williams, a close friend of Harry’s wife, Meghan Markle.
Despite the controversy, ESPN remains firm in its decision. Kate Jackson, VP of Production at ESPN, stated, “These honorees have used their platforms to change the world and make it more inclusive for marginalized and suffering communities, demonstrating incredible resilience, positivity, and perseverance, and we’re thrilled to celebrate them at the 2024 ESPYs.”
Harry, who served in the British military for 10 years, including two tours in Afghanistan as a helicopter pilot, has been lauded for his role in launching the Invictus Games. The Games serve as a multi-sport, Paralympic-styled event for wounded or injured servicemen and veterans. “This one is for our entire service community,” Harry said upon learning he would receive the Pat Tillman Award.
The Pat Tillman Award was created in 2014 to honor individuals who have served in ways that echo the legacy of Pat Tillman. Tillman, a former safety for the Arizona Cardinals, served in Iraq and Afghanistan before being killed by friendly fire in 2004. He was posthumously awarded the Silver Star and Purple Heart for his service.
Mary Tillman remains firm in her belief that the award should go to someone less famous and more deserving. “There are recipients that are far more fitting,” she reiterated. “There are individuals working in the veteran community that are doing tremendous things to assist veterans.”
Source: Daily Mail, ESPN
