Prince Harry's nomination for the Pat Tillman Award has ignited significant controversy.
According to a report from Blind Gossip, Disney is reconsidering the award due to allegations that Harry destroyed evidence. Given that Disney owns 80% of ESPN, this connection could influence the final decision. Critics assert that there are other reasons to reconsider Harry's nomination, particularly the belief that he doesn't deserve it. They argue that honoring Harry for service is incongruous since he has allegedly abandoned his own charitable commitments. For instance, he reportedly refused to assist the people of Los Angeles, demonstrating a lack of commitment to service.
Critics compare awarding Harry for service to recognizing him as a good brother or son despite perceived failures in these roles. They point out his neglect of duties to the Royal Marines and his subsequent portrayal as a victim when his role was rescinded. The media, they argue, has largely ignored this hypocrisy. Angela Levin, a royal commentator, highlighted how much the military meant to Harry but failed to mention that he should have fulfilled his responsibilities.
Intriguingly, there appears to be a connection between the Tillman Foundation and Meghan Markle. Marie Tillman, Pat Tillman’s widow, remarried and resides in Chicago, co-founding the Pat Tillman Foundation and serving on its board with her second husband, Joe Shenton. Marie attended a 2023 fundraiser for Lurie Children's Hospital, which was also attended by Genevieve Hillis, Markle's college friend. Both women operate within the same social circles, with Hillis working as a conservative lobbyist. Chicago's relatively small size makes their paths likely to cross.
Marie Tillman is a successful businesswoman, speaker, and activist who graduated from UC Santa Barbara—qualities that Meghan Markle might find beneficial for her own brand. Marie previously owned a children's clothing store modeled similarly to Birchbox, a business concept Markle has shown interest in. Markle has filed a trademark for "Tig Tots," including children's clothing, indicating her desire to sell curated boxes to consumers. It is possible that the Pat Tillman Foundation could become one of the grant recipients for Markle's foundation, aligning with her strategy to build legitimacy for her brand by associating with reputable figures like Marie Tillman. Additionally, Joe Shenton serves on the board of Lurie Children's Hospital, further strengthening the connection between these influential circles.
ESPN has justified their selection of Prince Harry by citing his tireless work in positively impacting the veteran community through the Invictus Games. Despite this explanation, a petition has been launched urging ESPN to reconsider their decision. The petition claims that Harry's involvement in various controversies casts doubt on his suitability to receive such an honor. These controversies, including allegations of destroyed evidence and his perceived abandonment of charitable commitments, lead many to question the appropriateness of the award.
Critics argue that Harry's actions contradict the spirit of the Pat Tillman Award, which honors individuals with a strong connection to sports who have served others in a manner reflecting Pat Tillman’s legacy as an NFL player and US Army Ranger. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains uncertain whether ESPN will maintain their decision or succumb to the growing pressure to revoke the nomination.
