When Prince Harry accepted the the Pat Tillman Award for Service at the 2024 ESPY Awards on Thursday, he addressed the person most against him receiving the award — Pat Tillman’s mother.
The Duke of Sussex lauded Tillman’s mother, Mary Tillman.
Tillman did not agree with ESPN’s choice to award him the honor named after her son, People reported.
“I’d like to begin by expressing my deepest gratitude to everyone at the Pat Tillman Foundation, led by Marie Tillman Shenton, who I’m so honored is here tonight. I’d also like to acknowledge the Tillman family, especially Mrs. Mary Tillman, Pat’s mother,” he said. “Her advocacy for Pat’s legacy is deeply personal and one that I respect.”
“The bond between a mother and son is eternal and transcends even the greatest losses,” he said.
Prince Harry lost his mother, Princess Diana, when he was 12.
Prince Harry served in the British Army for 10 years and served two tours in Afghanistan.
He received the award for serving the veteran community with starting the Invictus Games, which he founded in 2014.
The games allows wounded veterans to compete in adaptive sports competition.
Invictus Games athletes were on the stage with him when he accepted the award.
“You need to be with me,” he said.
Prince Harry said, “The truth is, I stand here not as Prince Harry, Pat Tillman Award recipient, but rather a voice on behalf of the Invictus Games Foundation and the thousands of veterans and service personnel from over 20 nations who have made the Invictus Games a reality.”
“This award belongs to them, not to me,” he said. “That said, it is of great importance to me to highlight these allies, athletes and their amazing families for their achievements, their spirit, and their courage at every opportunity, especially on nights like this, in front of people like you. Moments like these help us reach those that need Invictus the most and reduce the more than 20 veterans a day taking their own lives, in this country alone.”
The Pat Tillman Award for Service was created to honor of Pat Tillman, who left the NFL and enlisted in the military after 9/1. He was 27 when he died in Afghanistan in 2004.
After Prince Harry was announced as this year’s recipient, Mary Tillman told the Daily Mail, “I am shocked as to why they would select such a controversial and divisive individual to receive the award.”
“There are recipients that are far more fitting. There are individuals working in the veteran community that are doing tremendous things to assist veterans,” she 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.”
ESPN responded by stating, “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. 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.”
