Prince Harry's Honorary ESPY Award Draws Backlash from Pat Tillman's Mom

Prince Harry. Karwai Tang/WireImage

is set to receive a major honor at this year’s ESPY Awards — but not everybody is supportive of the acknowledgment. 

The Duke of Sussex, 39, was recently announced as the recipient of the Award for Service at the 2024 ESPYS, a distinction bestowed upon an individual with a strong connection to sports who has served others in a way that echoes Tillman’s legacy.

Tillman, a former star safety for the Arizona Cardinals, was killed during combat while serving as a U.S. Army Ranger in Afghanistan in 2004.

“I am shocked as to why they would select such a controversial and divisive individual to receive the award,” Pat’s mother, Mary Tillman, told the Daily Mail in an interview published on Saturday, June 29. “There are recipients that are far more fitting. There are individuals working in the veteran community that are doing tremendous things to assist veterans.”

Gene Lower/Getty ImagesRelated: What to Know About the 2024 ESPY Awards: Nominees, Airdate and MoreIt is once again time for the biggest stars in sports to descend on Los Angeles for the ESPY Awards. The 32nd annual awards show will take place at the Dolby Theatre for the third consecutive year, with everyone from Patrick Mahomes to Caitlin Clark and even Prince Harry up for an award. The ESPYs […]

She added, “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.”

Mary said she was not consulted about who should receive the award that bears her late son’s name.

Past recipients of the Pat Tillman Award for Service include soccer star , who helped raise millions of dollars during the COVID-19 pandemic to feed children in England, the Buffalo Bills training staff for the work they did in saving the life of and retired Army Command Sergeant Major .

Harry is being recognized for his 10 years of service in the British Armed Forces, which included two tours of duty in Afghanistan as a forward air controller and Apache helicopter pilot. 

Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images)

The Duke is also being honored for cofounding The Invictus Games Foundation, which supports wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women. 

Celebrating their 10th anniversary this year, the Invictus Games is an international event featuring both active and veteran service members competing in a variety of sporting events. 

Thank You!

You have successfully subscribed.

Subscribe to newsletters Subscribe

By signing up, I agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy and to receive emails from Us Weekly

Deal of the DayGet These ‘Patriotic’ Crocs By Tomorrow — Selling Fast!View Deal

Check our latest news in Google News

Follow Us

Check our latest news in Apple News

Follow UsjQuery( document ).ready( function( $ ) { let randomNumber = Math.floor( Math.random() * 100 ), is_spanish = false; if ( randomNumber < 96 && $( '#news-block .shop-with-us__container' ).length ) { $( '#news-block .shop-with-us__container' ).show(); $( '#news-block .news-widget, #news-block .newsletter-form' ).remove(); } else { if( $( '#news-block .shop-with-us__container' ).length ) { $( '#news-block .shop-with-us__container' ).remove(); } if ( is_spanish ) { // 99% should be newsletter signup if ( randomNumber < 99 ) { $( '#news-block .news-widget' ).remove(); } else { $( '#news-block .newsletter-form' ).remove(); $( '#news-block .news-widget' ).show(); } } else { // 50/50 if( 0 === parseInt( $.now() ) % 2 ) { $( '#news-block .news-widget' ).remove(); } else { $( '#news-block .newsletter-form' ).remove(); $( '#news-block .news-widget' ).show(); } } if ( navigator.userAgent.match( /(iPod|iPhone|iPad)/ ) ) { $( '#news-block .news-widget .google-news' ).remove(); } else { $( '#news-block .news-widget .apple-news' ).remove(); } } } );Related: Caitlin Clark Scores the Most 2024 ESPY Award Nominations: DetailsCaitlin Clark’s viral basketball success is scoring her major awards recognition. The 22-year-old WNBA rookie leads the pack of 2024 ESPY Awards nominations. Clark is up for three awards at the July 11 awards show, including Best Athlete, Women’s Sports, Best College Athlete, Women’s Sports and Best Record-Breaking Performance for overtaking Pete Maravich’s spot as […]

Harry will be celebrated alongside former NFL player , who is receiving the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage for his heroic fight against ALS, and University of South Carolina women’s basketball coach , who is receiving  the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance.

“It’s our privilege to recognize three incredible individuals — Steve Gleason, Dawn Staley and Prince Harry,” , ESPN’s vice president of production, said. “These honorees have used their platforms to change the world and make it more inclusive for marginalized and suffering communities, demonstrating incredible resilience, positivity and perseverance, and we’re thrilled to celebrate them at The 2024 ESPYS.”

The 2024 ESPYS — hosted by — air on ABC Thursday, July 11, at 8 p.m. ET.

In this articlePrince Harry

Prince Harry's Honorary ESPY Award Draws Backlash from Pat Tillman's Mom

Prince Harry's Honorary ESPY Award Draws Backlash from Pat Tillman's Mom

Prince Harry's Honorary ESPY Award Draws Backlash from Pat Tillman's Mom

Prince Harry's Honorary ESPY Award Draws Backlash from Pat Tillman's Mom

Prince Harry's Honorary ESPY Award Draws Backlash from Pat Tillman's Mom