Prince Harry Receives Pat Tillman ESPY Award After Controversy

Prince Harry is feeling grateful after receiving one of the three highest honors at the 2024 ESPY Awards. The 39-year-old father of two accepted the Pat Tillman Award for Service in person during the awards ceremony on Thursday night, during which he expressed his appreciation for the recognition. 

“I’d like to begin by expressing my deep gratitude to the Pat Tillman Foundation, led by Marie Tillman Shenton, who I’m so honored is here tonight,” Harry began his speech. “I’d also like to acknowledge the Tillman family, especially Mrs. Mary Tillman, Pat’s mother. Her advocacy for Pat’s legacy is deeply personal, and one that I respect. The bond between a mother and son is eternal and transcends even the greatest losses.”

Harry continued by telling the audience, “I stand here not as Prince Harry, Pat Tillman Award recipient, but rather a voice on behalf of the Invictus Games Foundation and the thousands of veterans and service personnel from over 20 nations who have made the Invictus Games a reality. This award belongs to them, not to me.”

“That said, it is of great importance to me to highlight these allies, athletes and their amazing families for the achievements, their spirit, and their courage at every opportunity, especially on nights like this, in front of people like you,” he said. “Moments like these help us reach those that need Invictus most and reduce more than 20 veterans a day taking their own lives in this country alone.”

Harry went on to explain that Invictus “comes from Latin meaning undefeated or incomparable.”

“The spirit of the Invictus Games transcends race, time and borders,” he said. “It is born from unity and exudes purpose.”

Harry then acknowledged the 10-year anniversary of the Invictus Games, noting that it’s been “10 years of witnessing life-changing impact and healing through sport.”

“While so much progress has been made since those first Games, the world outside seems to be in an even more precarious state,” he said. “We live in an age marked by polarization and division. Conflicts rage around the globe. Anger and resentment towards those who are different seem to pervade societies everywhere.”

The Invictus Games, Harry said, “challenges that” notion.

“Our community proves that unity is not just possible, but formidable,” he said. “The beauty of the Invictus Games lies in how it brings people together, no matter one’s nationality, background or personal struggles.”

“It is a connective built from courage and personal respect, where athletes discover time and time again the common denominator of their humanity,” Harry continued. “Having survived the crucible of armed combat and forged through the challenge to rebuild bodies and minds impacted by conflict, they formed a family. They exemplify the very best in all of us.”

Harry concluded his speech by making a promise on behalf of the Invictus Games Foundation, telling the crowd, “No matter the road ahead, we are here for you. We will leave no one behind.”

After his speech, Harry headed backstage, where he told ET’s Denny Directo, “Thank you very much, It’s great! It’s fantastic for Invictus as well.”

In June, it was announced that Harry was being presented with the award “in honor of his tireless work in making a positive impact for the veteran community through the power of sport. Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, will receive the Pat Tillman Award for Service, an award given to a person with a strong connection to sports who has served others in a way that echoes the legacy of the former NFL player and U.S. Army Ranger, Pat Tillman.”

Pat was an Arizona Cardinals safety who left the NFL to enlist in the Army following the September 11th attacks. He died in Afghanistan in 2004. He was 27. 

However, the honor wasn’t without its controversy. Shortly after ESPN announced its decision to honor the Duke of Sussex, Pat’s mother spoke out against the British royal receiving the award in the late hero’s name.

“I am shocked as to why they would select such a controversial and divisive individual to receive the award,” Pat’s mother, Mary, told The Daily Mail. 

“There are recipients that are far more fitting,” she continued. “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. I feel that those types of individuals should be recognized.”

Like Pat, Harry himself is a veteran, who served in the British Armed Forces as a forward air controller and Apache helicopter pilot. During his time in the military, Harry also did two tours of duty in Afghanistan.

By honoring Harry, the ESPYS is recognizing the last 10 years of his work with his Invictus Games competition, which has allowed veterans with both visible and invisible injuries from various countries to compete in Olympic-level athletic competitions. 

Last year, the Pat Tillman award was presented to the Buffalo Bills training staff for providing life saving care to Damar Hamlin during his near-fatal incident on the field during a game. Other former recipients include Gretchen Evans and Chris Wood.

The 2024 ESPYs air live from the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on Thursday, July 11, at 5 p.m. PT/8 p.m. ET on ABC.

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