After receiving criticism for accepting the Pat Tillman Award for Service at the 2024 ESPY, Prince Harry was” stunned.”
The official statement by ESPN sparked controversy and condemnation from different rooms, including the later soldier’s mother, Mary Tillman, New York Post reported.
The Duke of Sussex, 39, will receive the Pat Tillman Award for Service for his legends game work on July 11 at the opulent ESPY Awards in Los Angeles.
He expresses a deep concern for his privacy that this is the place where he feels most at home. The response “without a doubt” took the shine out of the honor, the insider claimed.
Mary, the mother of the person who was given the name of the medal, expressed her shock last week that Prince Harry had been chosen as the victim. She continued,” I am shocked as to why they chose for a contentious and antagonistic person to receive the honor.
She added that there are more deserving recipients who are actively making significant contributions to the veterans ‘ support, particularly those who are active in the former group. Mary pointed out that these people lack the financial resources, links, and protections that Prince Harry possesses, yet they are the ones who truly deserve acknowledgement for their work, as per The Daily Mail.
The most recent controversy came nearly immediately after ESPN announced Harry’s nomination for the Pat Tillman Award for Service on June 27.
Defending its choice, ESPN said that his work on the Invictus Games “is a reason for celebrating”. The Pat Tillman Award for Service is presented to individuals who have made significant contributions that are reminiscent of the late US Army Ranger and former NFL player who enlisted following the terrorist attacks of September 11 and afterward died in Afghanistan in 2004. According to the New York Post, Tillman received the Silver Star and Purple Heart in a posthumous ceremony for his services.
Almost 68, 000 people signed a petition asking ESPN to rethink its decision in less than ten days.
Pat McAfee, a former NFL player, even shared his thoughts on the matter, suggesting that ESPN, as a world leader in sports, should enjoy sport. He argued, however, that their present steps were purposefully intended to stoke anger, as per the Daily Mail.
McAfee suggested the creation of a separate category specifically for the duke, with the phrase “ESPY for Royal Family member who does n’t want to be called” Royal Family member’s love sports” as a humorous line.
