DISGRACE: ESPN Gives Pat Tillman Award To Prince Harry

After receiving backlash, the ESPY Awards are defending their decision to honor Prince Harry during the upcoming event. Prince Harry is slated to receive the Pat Tillman Award for Service at the 2024 ESPYS, an accolade named after Pat Tillman, the former NFL star and U.S. Army Ranger who lost his life in 2004 during combat.

The award is given to individuals who leverage their sports connections to make a positive impact on society, a criterion fulfilled by Prince Harry through his work with The Invictus Games Foundation. The decision, however, has been met with criticism from Tillman’s mother.

Mary Tillman expressed her dismay, stating to the DailyMail, “I am shocked as to why they would select such a controversial and divisive individual to receive the award.” She also noted that she was not consulted about this decision.

“There are recipients that are far more fitting. There are individuals working in the veteran community that are doing tremendous things to assist veterans,” Mary said. “These individuals do not have the money, resources, connections or privilege that Prince Harry has. I feel that those types of individuals should be recognized.”

Statue honoring Pat Tillman outside State Farm Stadium home of the Arizona Cardinals Glendale Arizona 4/1/18

Pat Tillman left a lucrative career in the NFL to serve in the United States Army following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. He was tragically killed in Afghanistan under circumstances that were initially reported as combat-related but later revealed to be a friendly fire incident.

The award was established to commemorate Tillman’s sacrifice and to recognize individuals who embody his enduring commitment to service, dedication, and leadership. It is not just a recognition of military service but extends to honoring those who make significant contributions to their communities and exemplify Tillman’s values of integrity, scholarship, and humble dedication.

Recipients of the Pat Tillman Award are typically individuals who have demonstrated remarkable courage and have made impactful commitments to their communities or fields, reflecting Tillman’s legacy of leadership and service. The award is intended to both preserve Tillman’s memory and inspire future generations to live with a similar spirit of service and community engagement.

“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,” ESPN told TMZ Sports.

In 2023, the Buffalo Bills Training Staff was recognized with the Pat Tillman Award for their swift and crucial intervention during a dire medical emergency. The team’s medical personnel sprang into action when Bills safety Damar Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest during a game, showcasing their dedication to teamwork and the well-being of others.

The previous year, in 2022, Gretchen Evans, a retired Army Command Sergeant Major and a highly decorated veteran, received the same honor. After a rocket blast in Afghanistan caused injuries that ended her military career, Evans founded Team UNBROKEN, an adaptive racing team. The initiative has allowed veterans who have experienced life-altering injuries, illnesses, or traumas to compete in demanding endurance events.

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