- Prince Harry expressed surprise at the backlash he received after being named the recipient of the Pat Tillman Award for Service at the 2024 ESPYs.
- The Duke of Sussex, aged 39, is being recognized for his military background and efforts related to the Invictus Games.
- Mary Tillman, the mother of the late hero the award is named after, voiced her disapproval, alleging ESPN did not seek her opinion before selecting Prince Harry.
Newsypeople- Prince Harry, also known as the Duke of Sussex, has shown his surprise and sadness about the criticism he is facing after being chosen as the 2024 Pat Tillman Award for Service winner at ESPY Awards.
This prize gets its name from a famous football player in NFL who was U.S Army Ranger too; his name was Pat Tillman and he got killed during time spent fighting for America’s war efforts back in 2004 when Afghanistan conflict started up again (The Late). The honor goes to people who have greatly impacted others’ lives by using their link with sports.
ESPN’s choice to honor Prince Harry for his military service and role in establishing the Invictus Games, a project that assists injured or ill service members, has sparked disagreement from different sides. Mary Tillman, who is Pat Tillman’s mother, shared her surprise about this selection by saying
“As a Gold Star Mother, I am shocked.” She also added “This individual is controversial and divisive. There are many others who are far more fitting for this honor and do not have the money, resources, connections or privilege that he does.”
Insiders near the Duke of Sussex have disclosed that this disapproval is like a “difficult thing to accept” for him, because he highly appreciates his military history and feels more comfortable in the area of helping out veterans. As stated, the criticism has “diminished its sparkle” for Harry. He was left shocked by it all especially when it came to his time in army service which he strongly cares about.
ESPN has not altered its choice and continues to stress the significance of acknowledging people who have made substantial impacts in different areas, pointing out Prince Harry’s involvement with Invictus Games. But, this argument has produced an internet petition requesting ESPN rethinks the selection that collected more than 45,000 signatures as of Tuesday.
The 2024 ESPY Awards, where Prince Harry is scheduled to get the Pat Tillman Award for Service, will be hosted by tennis champion Serena Williams. She happens to be a near friend of the Duchess of Sussex. The Duke’s pick has led to thoughts that Meghan Markle might have employed her celebrity links to ensure the award for her husband.
See the news below…
Prince Harry 'stunned' by backlash to his ESPY nomination for 'the Pat Tillman Award for Service' after Afghanistan veteran's own mother said she would have preferred for it to go to someone 'less privileged'
— Rhoda McLennan (@rmclnnn) July 8, 2024
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