Pat Tillman’s mother harshly criticized ESPN after they announced that the award, named after her late son, would be given to Prince Harry at the 2024 ESPY Awards.
Pat Tillman Award for the prince
ESPN recently announced that the Duke of Sussex will receive one of the top three honors of the evening, the Pat Tillman Award for his service.
"I am surprised that they have chosen someone like that. I wonder why they would choose such a controversial and divisive person to receive the award."
Although Tillman said she was "thrilled" to see the prince receive the 2024 Pat Tillman Service Award, there are recipients who are "much more suitable."
Why did you disagree with the prince receiving the 2024 Pat Tillman Service Award?
"There are people working in the veteran community who are doing tremendous things to help veterans. These people don't have the money, resources, connections, or privileges that Prince Harry has. I feel that these kinds of people should be recognized."
Tillman left the NFL to enlist in the military after the attacks of September 11. He died in Afghanistan in 2004 at the age of 27.
According to a press release, Harry will receive the award "in honor of his tireless work to generate a positive impact on the veteran community through the power of sports."
Where and when can I watch the award ceremony?
"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 reflects the legacy of former NFL player and U.S. Army Ranger, Pat Tillman," the statement adds.
It has not been announced whether Harry will attend the ceremony to receive the award in person. ESPYS 2024 will be hosted by Serena Williams and will be broadcast live on Thursday, July 11 at 8 pm ET on ABC.