The mother of fallen American war hero Pat Tillman said she was “devastated” that an award named after her son would be presented to Britain’s Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex.
The Pat Tillman Service Award is presented annually to an individual or group who “serves others in a way that honors the legacy of former NFL player and U.S. Army Ranger Pat Tillman and has a deep connection to sports.”
The award was established in 2014, 10 years after Tillman was killed by friendly fire in combat in Afghanistan.
Tillman famously turned down a multi-year, multi-million dollar NFL contract to enlist in the U.S. Army after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
Recent recipients of the Pat Tillman Award include the Buffalo Bills training staff who resuscitated Damar Hamlin after he went into sudden cardiac arrest during a game (2023), retired U.S. Army Command Sergeant Major Gretchen Evans (2022), professional soccer player Marcus Rashford (2021) and professional boxer Kim Clavell (2020).
Thursday, ESPN Announced Prince Harry will receive the Pat Tillman Service Award.
“In recognition of his tireless efforts to positively impact the veteran community through the power of sport, Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, will receive the Pat Tillman Service Award. The award recognizes an individual with a deep connection to sport who has served others in honour of the legacy of former NFL player and U.S. Army Ranger Pat Tillman,” the press release read. “After 10 years of service in the British Army, including two tours of duty as a forward air traffic controller and Apache helicopter pilot in Afghanistan, Prince Harry established the Invictus Games Foundation to continue his service by building an international platform to support wounded and ill service members, both active duty and veterans, battling physical and invisible injuries.”
Prince Harry is set to receive the Pat Tillman Award at the 2024 ESPY Awards, which is scheduled to air on July 11.
Pat Tillman’s mother, Mary Tillman, said she was “shocked” that the award would be presented to Prince Harry and that she had not been consulted about her son’s nomination.
Mary Tillman is Daily Mail“It is astonishing why such a controversial and divisive figure was chosen as the recipient.”
She continued, “There are more deserving recipients. There are people who work in the veterans community and do amazing things to support veterans. These people don’t have the money, resources, connections or privilege that Prince Harry has. I feel like it’s them who should be recognized.”
Pat McAfee, an outspoken sports commentator who works for ESPN, was also disappointed with the selection and slammed his network.
McAfee Said“It goes to Prince Harry. I don’t think he’s a prince anymore, right? I told you not to call me that? Look, why does ESPY do this?”
“You know when you do something like this, there’s an immediate reaction from humans, from sports fans, from people with common sense,” McAfee said. stated Appeared on “The Pat McAfee Show.”
McAfee said the decision to give Prince Harry the Pat Tillman Award was intended to “offend people.”
a Plea A petition has been started asking ESPN to “reconsider” awarding Prince Harry the Pat Tillman Lifetime Achievement Award. As of press time, the petition has garnered nearly 25,000 signatures.
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