Prince Harry has come under fire after being awarded the Pat Tillman Award for Service at the 2024 ESPY Awards, an honor traditionally given to those who have made significant contributions to sports and community service. The Duke of Sussex accepted the award at a star-studded event in Hollywood, but the decision has been met with backlash from both sides of the Atlantic.
Nana Akua, a GB News TV presenter, was among the first to publicly criticize the award, calling it "embarrassing." She remarked, "How can they not see how jarring this must be for Pat's mother and family? It beggars belief. They don't want him to pick up the award even if he believes he is picking it up on behalf of others; he should respect that. Any last shred of credibility is well and truly gone."
Mary Tillman, the mother of the award's namesake, Pat Tillman, expressed her dismay to the Mail on Sunday, questioning why a "controversial and divisive individual" was chosen. "There are recipients that are far more fitting. There are individuals working in the veteran community who are doing tremendous things to assist veterans," she stated, emphasizing the stark contrast between Harry's privileged background and the struggles faced by many deserving individuals.
The award, named after Pat Tillman, a former NFL star who left his sports career to serve in the military and was killed in Afghanistan in 2004, is meant to honor those who have made exceptional contributions to society through sports. Prince Harry, aged 39, was recognized for his work with the Invictus Games, an event he founded to support injured and sick military personnel and veterans.
Despite his decade-long service in the British Army, including two tours in Afghanistan, Prince Harry's nomination led to controversy. A change.org petition even called for ESPN to reconsider the decision to award him the prestigious accolade.
Upon receiving the award, Prince Harry expressed his gratitude to Pat Tillman's widow, Marie, who attended the ceremony, and acknowledged Mary Tillman, saying, "Her advocacy for Pat's legacy is deeply personal and one that I respect." He also paid tribute to his late mother, Princess Diana, remarking, "The bond between a mother and son is eternal and transcends even the greatest losses."
Speaking at the Invictus Games, Harry noted, "While so much progress has been made since those first games, the world outside seems to be in an even more precarious state." He emphasized that the award was not just for him but for all those involved with the Games.
The decision to honor Prince Harry has reignited debates over his and Meghan Markle's role in the public eye. A friend of the Royal Family told the Daily Beast, "The irony of the whole of the last four years is that Harry and Meghan said they were leaving the Royal Family so the media would leave them alone. And now, here Harry is, literally picking up retail awards on live TV. It's pathetic."
Critics argue that such public appearances undermine Prince Harry's credibility and contrast sharply with his past military service. "If you get a medal in the army, you don't brag about it, so the idea of turning up at a televised awards ceremony to be honored would be utterly embarrassing to most military people," commented a former military associate.
The 2024 ESPY Awards, held at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, were hosted by tennis legend Serena Williams, a close friend of Meghan Markle. Previous recipients of the Pat Tillman Award include Manchester United's Marcus Rashford, celebrated for his campaign to provide free meals to disadvantaged children during the pandemic.
Despite the controversy, ESPN defended their decision, stating that Prince Harry was recognized for his "tireless work in making a positive impact for the veteran community through the power of sport." However, the backlash highlights the ongoing scrutiny faced by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex as they navigate their roles outside the British monarchy.
