ESPN announced Thursday that Prince Harry will receive the prestigious Pat Tillman Award at this year’s ESPY Awards, but not everyone is happy.
The award was established in 2014 in memory of former NFL hero Pat Tillman, who turned down a more than $3 million contract to join the U.S. Army and fight in Afghanistan, where he was tragically killed by friendly fire.
Tillman’s mother, Mary “Danny” Tillman, isn’t at all happy about the decision to give the award to Prince Harry.
“I’m surprised why they chose such a controversial and divisive person as the recipient,” she said. Said Daily Mail“There are far more deserving recipients. There are people who work in the veterans community and do great things to support veterans.”
“These people don’t have the money, resources, connections or privilege that Prince Harry has. I feel like these types of people should be recognized.”
Harry is a 10-year British Army veteran who served in Afghanistan. He first became involved in sport through the Invictus Games, a competition for war-stricken men and women from military backgrounds around the world. Harry founded the Invictus Games in 2014, the same year the Pat Tillman Service Award was launched.
“He always tried to do the right thing. He didn’t always do the right thing, but he tried. And whenever his friends got into any kind of trouble, he protected them,” Mary Tillman said. Said ESPN. “I just [the 9/11 attacks and their aftermath] I think he took football less seriously and felt he should have tried harder.”
In 2023, the Bills training staff received the award for providing life-saving care to Bills safety Damar Hamlin when he went into cardiac arrest. Monday Night Football.
