ESPN has defended its choice to honor Prince Harry with the Pat Tillman Award for Service on the 2024 ESPYS — regardless of blowback from the late hero’s mom, Mary Tillman.
The Duke of Sussex, 39, was final week named as one of many recipients at this 12 months’s upcoming ceremony for his army expertise and work on the Invictus Video games.
However the announcement didn’t sit proper with Mary, who slammed ESPN and claimed she was by no means consulted concerning the choice.
ESPN has defended its choice to honor Prince Harry with the Pat Tillman Award for Service on the 2024 ESPYS. Getty Photos
“ESPN, with the assist of the Tillman Basis, is honoring Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, particularly for the work of The Invictus Video games Basis because it celebrates its tenth 12 months selling therapeutic via the ability of sport for army service members and veterans all over the world,” ESPN stated in a press release Monday.
“Whereas we perceive not everybody will agree with all honorees chosen for any award, The Invictus Video games Basis does unimaginable work and ESPN believes this can be a trigger value celebrating.”
The status award is handed out to people who’ve made important contributions on this planet, which echo the legacy of the previous NFL participant and US Military Ranger, who enlisted after the Sept. 11 terrorist assaults.
Talking out concerning the choice, Mary hit out on the sports activities community.
The Duke of Sussex, 39, was final week named as one of many recipients at this 12 months’s upcoming ceremony. Getty Photos
“I’m shocked as to why they would choose such a controversial and divisive particular person to obtain the award,” Mary instructed the Day by day Mail.
“There are recipients which are way more becoming,” she added. “There are people working within the veteran neighborhood which are doing large issues to help veterans.”
The baffled mom additionally identified that Harry is already well-known and has acquired loads of awards in his life, so ESPN ought to have chosen another person who’s by no means been within the highlight.
Pat Tillman’s mom, Mary, slammed ESPN and claimed she was by no means consulted concerning the choice. Hearst Newspapers through Getty Photos
Mary’s condemnation was echoed by ESPN analyst Pat McAfee, who accused his personal community of “attempting to piss folks off” for selecting the exiled royal.
“It’s going to Prince Harry,” McAfee stated on his speak present, “who I don’t even assume is a Prince anymore, proper? He stated don’t name me that? See, why does the ESPYs do that s–t?”
Jake Wooden, a US Marine and former school soccer participant who gained the award in 2018, stated Harry is a “pure match” for the consideration. Getty Photos
Regardless of Mary’s agency stance, two former recipients of the award have thrown their assist behind ESPN’s choice to honor Harry.
Jake Wooden, a US Marine and former school soccer participant who gained the award in 2018, instructed TMZ that Harry is a “pure match” for the consideration resulting from his army background and work with veterans.
US Air Drive Grasp Sgt. Israel Del Toro Jr. — who gained the award in 2017 — additionally stated Harry is a worthy recipient. Getty Photos
Wooden instructed the outlet that the Duke devoted his life to serving and supporting the army — which ought to be honored as a result of there are lots of other ways he might have lived his life.
Nonetheless, he made it recognized that Mary has each proper to talk her thoughts.
Begin your day with all you should know
Morning Report delivers the newest information, movies, pictures and extra.
Thanks for signing up!
US Air Drive Grasp Sgt. Israel Del Toro Jr. — who gained the award in 2017 — stated Harry is a worthy recipient.
Harry served the British army for 10 years, together with two excursions in Afghanistan as a helicopter pilot. Tim Graham Picture Library through Getty Photos
Regardless of being mired in controversy over his royal life, Harry served the British army for 10 years, together with two excursions in Afghanistan as a helicopter pilot.
He additionally created the Invictus Video games in 2014, which serves as a multi-sport, Paralympic-styled video games for wounded or injured servicemen and veterans.
Tillman served in Iraq after which Afghanistan earlier than he was killed by pleasant hearth in 2004. AP
“This one is for our total service neighborhood,” the daddy of two stated after studying of the consideration.
Tillman, a former security for the Arizona Cardinals, served in Iraq after which Afghanistan earlier than he was killed by pleasant hearth in 2004, with the soldier posthumously awarded the Silver Star and Purple Coronary heart for his service.