In recent months, Prince Harry has once again found himself at the center of heated controversy, this time involving the prestigious Pat Tillman Award for Service.
Mary Tillman, the grieving mother of Pat Tillman—who tragically died due to friendly fire in Afghanistan in 2004—has accused Prince Harry of buying his way to the Pat Tillman Award. In a scathing critique, she questioned the motives behind Harry's selection, suggesting it was not based on merit but on financial influence. "I don't know if that's the reason behind this absurdity," she stated, "but I don't believe they're just greedy, delusional, and deaf. They must be desperate."
Mary Tillman did not mince her words, further describing the situation as "disgusting" and "entirely believable." She implied that Harry's acceptance of numerous unearned awards was part of a larger strategy to appear as a significant contributor to the United States. According to her, this tactic is a deliberate attempt to mask the truth about how he allegedly purchased these accolades. She bluntly called out Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, as disgraceful figures on the global stage and an embarrassment to the British royal family.
Mary Tillman told the Daily Mail she was not consulted on the choice of Harry as the next recipient of the Pat Tillman Award for Service. The award, in honor of the Arizona Cardinal safety turned U.S. soldier, is given by ESPN each year to a person with a strong connection to sports who has served others in a way that echoes the legacy of the former NFL player. "I am shocked as to why they would select such a controversial and divisive individual to receive the award," Tillman told the Daily Mail. "There are recipients that are far more fitting. There are individuals working in the veteran community who are doing tremendous things to assist veterans. These individuals do not have the money, resources, connections, or privilege that Prince Harry has. I feel that those types of individuals should be recognized."
Harry is slated to receive the award at next month's ESPY Award ceremony for his help in founding the Invictus Games. The 39-year-old son of Britain's King Charles III, who served a decade in the British Armed Forces, co-created the Invictus Games, an international sports competition for wounded veterans and active-duty military personnel, in 2014. The Invictus Games have evolved into a globally celebrated and acclaimed organization that celebrates resilience, community, and healing through the power of sport. ESPN said in a statement, "This one is for our entire service community," Harry said of receiving the award, ABC News reported.
The award was given last year to the Buffalo Bills training staff for their life-saving actions during a January 2023 game when Bills safety Damar Hamlin went into cardiac arrest on the field. The decision for Harry to be this year's recipient has promoted backlash, and a petition calling on ESPN to rethink the choice began circulating last week. As of Sunday afternoon, it had amassed more than 12,300 signatures. The ESPY ceremony will be broadcast on July 11th at 8:00 p.m. on ABC and will be hosted by Serena Williams.
Harry, along with his wife Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, stepped down as full-time working members of the royal family and moved to California in 2020. They later revealed that racism played a role in their decision to step back from their senior positions. The couple's relationship with much of the British royal family has appeared strained after the release of Harry's tell-all memoir, "Spare."
The Hill reached out to the Tillman Foundation and ESPN for further comment. The controversy surrounding Prince Harry's receipt of the Pat Tillman Award for Service is a complex and emotionally charged issue. Mary Tillman's allegations have cast a shadow over what should have been a moment of recognition for Harry's contributions to the veteran community.
As the debate continues, it is crucial to consider the perspectives of all parties involved and reflect on the broader implications for the award's integrity and Prince Harry's public image. The upcoming ESPY Award ceremony will undoubtedly be a pivotal moment in this ongoing saga, and it remains to be seen how Prince Harry and the involved organizations will address these serious allegations. Whether the controversy will lead to a reassessment of the award process or further division remains a question only time will answer.
