Prince Harry is set to receive the prestigious Pat Tillman Award for Service at the upcoming ESPY Awards, a choice that has ignited major controversy. The award, named after Pat Tillman, the former NFL player turned soldier who tragically died in Afghanistan, was made to honor service and public sacrifice. However, the choice to recognize Prince Harry has been met with backlash.
The mother of Pat Tillman, who enlisted in the military after 9/11 and was killed in 2004, says she was not consulted on the decision to select Prince Harry for the ESPY award named in her son’s honor. @KellyCobiella reports. pic.twitter.com/iT5eXvNwyx
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) July 1, 2024
The reasons? Detractors are citing his divisive public presence and previous actions that some deem controversial. This includes Tillman’s mother, Mary, who argues that the Duke of Sussex’s high-profile controversies make him an unsuitable recipient for the award. She expressed discontent at the selection, suggesting the honor should go to someone else:
“I am shocked as to why they would select such a controversial and divisive individual to receive the award.” She said there are recipients that “do not have the money, resources, connections or privilege that Prince Harry has.”
Please consider signing this petition.
Prince Harry is NOT deserving of the Pat Tillman award.
I'm throughly disgusted that he was even considered to be nominated for it by ESPN. https://t.co/8wDCbRXB1l pic.twitter.com/5oXsRbjIFh
— Rebecca Ann (@BecksOfBucks) June 30, 2024
The backlash has escalated to include an online petition with over 44,000 signatures, urging ESPN to rethink this decision. With the ceremony set to take place on July 11th, the debate continues and questions come up with Prince Harry’s possible in-person attendance. This award has brought unexpected scrutiny to the former royal, whose bond with the American public has taken a turn for the worse.
