The announcement that Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, is set to receive the prestigious Pat Tillman Award for Service at the 2024 ESPY Awards has sparked a significant and widespread backlash, leaving the 39-year-old royal reportedly "stunned" and deeply unsettled by the public's overwhelming negative reaction.
The Pat Tillman Award for Service is presented annually by ESPN to individuals who have made remarkable contributions that echo the legacy and heroism of the late NFL player and U.S. Army Ranger, Pat Tillman. Tillman, a former safety for the Arizona Cardinals, made the brave decision to enlist in the military after the tragic events of September 11th, 2001, and was later killed by friendly fire in 2004 while serving in Afghanistan. He was posthumously awarded the Silver Star and Purple Heart for his service and sacrifice.
The decision to honor Prince Harry with this esteemed award has raised a considerable number of eyebrows, particularly from the late hero's own mother, Mary Tillman. In a scathing and highly critical public statement, Tillman has openly lambasted ESPN's choice, claiming that she was never consulted about the decision, and expressing her vehement disapproval of the network's selection of the Duke of Sussex as the recipient.
A source close to the Sussexes has revealed that the intense and unrelenting fallout from this high-profile announcement has been a "bitter pill to swallow" for the embattled couple. The insider stated that while Prince Harry is no stranger to intense public scrutiny and criticism, the discourse surrounding his military background and perceived lack of true service has been particularly upsetting and demoralizing for him. "This is the space in which he truly feels at home, it is something he has always taken immense pride in and deeply cares about. The overwhelmingly negative reaction certainly took the shine off the award and left him feeling rather stunned," the source added.
Prince Harry's military service and accomplishments have long been a source of deep personal pride and a core part of his identity. The father of two served in the British armed forces for a full decade, including two grueling tours of duty in the war-torn nation of Afghanistan, where he worked tirelessly in roles such as an Apache helicopter pilot and a forward air controller. This profound military experience has been a significant shaping force in his life and has informed much of his post-royal public service work, including his founding of the highly successful Invictus Games, an international sporting event dedicated to wounded, injured, and sick servicemen and women.
It is this tireless dedication to supporting and championing the causes of military veterans and their families through initiatives like the Invictus Games that ESPN has cited as the primary reason for honoring Prince Harry with the prestigious Pat Tillman Award. The network has fiercely defended its decision, stating unequivocally that the Duke of Sussex's unwavering commitment to this noble cause "is a cause worth celebrating and holding up as an example for all to follow."
However, this is not the first time that Prince Harry's military-related achievements and accolades have drawn widespread criticism and intense scrutiny from both the public and respected figures within the armed forces community. In January 2024, the royal received the highly contentious Living Legends of Aviation award, presented to him by renowned actor John Travolta. This particular decision was subsequently slammed and condemned by Admiral Lord West, the former head of the Royal Navy, who bluntly stated that Harry "is not a living legend" and does not deserve such an honor.
The Sussexes have also been repeatedly accused of "collecting trophies" in a calculated effort to "buy the public's respect" through various awards and accolades, a claim that has only added further fuel to the raging controversy surrounding Prince Harry's latest award from ESPN. This persistent perception of the couple's self-serving motivations has further fueled the overwhelming backlash, with many arguing that the Duke's military service and humanitarian work should not be reduced to a mere public relations exercise or an attempt to bolster their image.
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