Pat Tillman was an NFL player who left his career after 9/11 to join the U.S. Army.
After Tillman was killed in Afghanistan in 2004, ESPN created an award to honor his spirit of service to others.
But Pat Tillman’s mother was furious after ESPN gave Prince Harry an award named after her son.
ESPN’s annual ESPY Awards is scheduled to take place on July 11.
Short for Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly Awards (ESPY), the ESPY Awards is an annual show started by ESPN in 1993 that recognizes individual and team athletic achievement and other sports-related performance.
The Pat Tillman Award for Service is given each year to an individual who is connected to sports and makes a positive impact on the lives of others.
The award is named after the late Pat Tillman.
“Tillman, a former Arizona Cardinal, died in combat in Afghanistan due to friendly fire in 2004,” KTVU reported. “He famously turned down a multiyear contract and upwards of $3 million to enlist in the Army after the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11.”
Last year, the award was given to the Buffalo Bills training staff for their role in saving Damar Hamlin’s life after he suffered a cardiac arrest during a game.
But this year, the winner is not even American.
ESPN gave the 2024 Pat Tillman Award for Service to Prince Harry.
Harry served in the British army for a decade and is being recognized by ESPN for his role in the Invictus Games.
The Invictus Games is a global event that helps support service members who are wounded in combat.
Prince Harry actually founded the event in 2014.
However, Pat Tillman’s mother, Mary “Dannie” Tillman, is livid about Prince Harry receiving the award above others who she believes are more deserving of the honor.
“I am shocked as to why they would select such a controversial and divisive individual to receive the award,” she told The Daily Mail. “There are recipients that are far more fitting. There are individuals working in the veteran community that are doing tremendous things to assist veterans.”
“These individuals do not have the money, resources, connections, or privilege that Prince Harry has,” she added. “I feel that those types of individuals should be recognized.”
But ESPN is not backing down from their decision.
“ESPN, with the support of the Tillman Foundation, is honoring Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, specifically for the work of The Invictus Games Foundation as it celebrates its 10th year promoting healing through the power of sport for military service members and veterans around the world,” ESPN wrote in a statement. “While we understand not everyone will agree with all honorees selected for any award, The Invictus Games Foundation does incredible work and ESPN believes this is a cause worth celebrating.”
