Mary Tillman, the mother of the late Pat Tillman, has voiced her disapproval of the decision to award Prince Harry with the Pat Tillman Award for Service at the upcoming 2024 ESPY Awards.
The Pat Tillman Award, established in 2014, is given annually to individuals who exemplify Tillman’s legacy of service. Pat Tillman, a former NFL player, left his football career to enlist in the U.S. Army following the September 11 attacks. He was killed in Afghanistan in 2004 by friendly fire.
In an interview, Mary Tillman expressed her shock at the choice, stating that she was not consulted about the decision. She questioned the selection of “such a controversial and divisive individual” to receive the award, suggesting that there are more deserving recipients working within the veteran community who do not have the same resources and privilege as Prince Harry.
“I am shocked as to why they would select such a controversial and divisive individual to receive the award,” Tillman told the Daily Mail. “There are recipients that are far more fitting. There are individuals working in the veteran community that aremore deserving of the award. They do not have the same resources and privilege as Prince Harry.”
While Prince Harry has served in the British military and founded the Invictus Games for wounded veterans, his recent criticism of the royal family and public revelations about his personal life have drawn significant media attention and controversy.
Tillman acknowledged Prince Harry’s service but emphasized that the award should be reserved for individuals who “make a difference in the world.” She expressed concern that the decision to award Prince Harry could overshadow the award’s purpose and meaning.
The ESPYs, an annual awards show celebrating athletic achievement and sports-related performance, will air on July 10th. The Pat Tillman Award for Service will be presented during the ceremony, highlighting individuals who embody Pat Tillman’s values of service, leadership, and commitment.
It remains to be seen whether the ESPYs will reconsider the decision to award Prince Harry the Pat Tillman Award, but Mary Tillman’s disapproval has certainly sparked a debate about the criteria for selecting recipients and the award’s significance in honoring those who have served their communities and country.
