Family of war hero questions Prince Harry’s award

The decision to give the Duke of Sussex a sports award named after an American war hero killed in Afghanistan has been criticized by the soldier’s mother.

The Duke will receive the Pat Tillman Award for his work with injured veterans at the Invictus Games at the ESPY Awards, an ESPN sporting event.

The Office of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced the news that Prince Harry had won the award on its website, saying he was one of the “valued recipients” of the award, which “recognises exceptional individuals who exemplify courage, perseverance and service”.

Pat Tillman’s mother Mary has now criticised the decision and told the Mail on Sunday: “I am shocked that they have chosen such a controversial and polarising person as the winner.”

“There are recipients who are much better suited. There are people who work in the veterans community and do great things to help veterans.

“These people do not have the money, resources, connections or privileges that Prince Harry has. I believe these types of people deserve recognition.”

Pat Tillman was an American football player who gave up his professional career after September 11 to join the U.S. Army.

Purple Heart

He served in Iraq and then Afghanistan and was killed by friendly fire in 2004. He was posthumously awarded the Silver Star and the Purple Heart for valor.

Previous winners of the ESPY, which is named in his honor, include the coaching staff of the U.S. football team Buffalo Bills, who saved the life of a player who suffered a cardiac arrest on the field. Marcus Rashford, the British football player and activist, is also a previous winner, as is retired U.S. Army Sergeant Major Gretchen Evans, who suffered a traumatic brain injury and founded the adaptive racing team Team Unbroken.

Announcing that Prince Harry will be one of the “incredible individuals” honored at the ESPY Awards this year, Kate Jackson, vice president of production at ESPN, 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 along the way, and we are thrilled to honor them at the 2024 ESPYs.”

The decision has become a talking point in America, with Pat McAfee – a former NFL player who worked for ESPN – saying: “Why are the ESPYs doing this –?

“I don’t know anything about him other than the South Park episode and what I learned from The Crown.

“But did his people know that you publicly nominated me for this award? You ask practically any person who considers themselves an American and say, ‘That’s bullshit—-.’

“Especially at a sports awards ceremony… I assume he knew that. You didn’t expect that?”

In a discussion broadcast online, a second expert named Boston Connor called it “probably the most embarrassing thing I’ve ever seen in my entire life,” while another, Ty Schmitt, called it “pure gimmick.”

The ESPY Awards will take place on July 11 at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles and will be hosted by tennis champion Serena Williams, a friend of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.