The mother of American hero and former NFL player Pat Tillman has slammed ESPN’s decision to present an award named after her son to Prince Harry.
Mary Tillman said she was never consulted by the sports network about presenting the Duke of Sussex with the Pat Tillman Award, which honors the late former NFL safety and Army Ranger who enlisted after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
“I am shocked as to why such a controversial and divisive person was chosen as the recipient of the award.” Mary told the Daily Mail..
“There are much more deserving recipients,” she added. “There are people who work in the veterans community and do amazing things to support veterans.”
The confused mother also pointed out that since Harry is already famous and has won many awards in his life, ESPN should have chosen someone else who has never been in the spotlight.
The Pat Tillman Award is often given to an unsung hero, and last year’s winner was a member of the Buffalo Bills training staff who resuscitated a player who went into cardiac arrest during a game.
Queen Mary’s accusations were echoed by ESPN analyst Pat McAfee, who on Friday accused his network of “trying to piss people off” by choosing Prince Harry.
“It’s going to Prince Harry,” McAfee said on his talk show. “I guess he’s not a prince anymore, right? I told him not to call me that. Look, why would the ESPYs do this?”
“This is the most embarrassing thing I’ve ever seen in my life,” he added.
In selecting the Duke of Sussex and the other recipients for the upcoming ESPY Awards, ESPN’s vice president of production, Kate Jackson, praised the recipients as people who have changed the world.
“Our honorees have used their platforms to change the world, making it more inclusive for marginalized and struggling communities, and have demonstrated incredible resilience, positivity and perseverance. We are thrilled to honor them at the 2024 ESPYS,” Jackson said.
Despite being tainted by controversy surrounding royal life, Prince Harry, who served in the British Army for 10 years, including two tours as a helicopter pilot in Afghanistan, has been praised for helping to create the Invictus Games.
Founded in 2014, the games are held as a Paralympic-style multi-sport event for injured military personnel and veterans.
“This is for our entire service community,” Harry said upon learning he would be receiving the Pat Tillman Award.
The Pat Tillman Award was established in 2014 to recognize individuals who have contributed to carrying on Tillman’s legacy.
Tillman, a former Arizona Cardinals safety, served in Iraq and then Afghanistan before being killed by friendly fire in 2004 and was posthumously awarded the Silver Star and Purple Heart for his service.
