Prince Harry finds himself at the center of controversy once again, this time over his upcoming acceptance of the prestigious Pat Tillman Award for Service at the ESPY Awards in Los Angeles.
The award, named after American war hero Pat Tillman, who tragically lost his life in Afghanistan, has sparked significant backlash since its announcement. Sources close to Prince Harry have revealed that he was stunned by the negative reaction following the award nomination. Harry is set to receive the award for his contributions to the veteran community; however, critics, including Pat Tillman's mother, Mary, have voiced strong opposition to Harry receiving the honor.
Mary Tillman expressed shock and disappointment over the decision, stating that more deserving individuals within the veteran community should have been considered. Pat Tillman, a former American football star, gave up a lucrative sports career to enlist in the US Army after the 9/11 attacks. His life was cut short at the age of 27 when he was killed by friendly fire while serving in Afghanistan.
Mary Tillman, who was not consulted about Harry receiving the award named after her son, criticized the selection of a controversial and divisive figure like Prince Harry. The ESPY Awards, organized by ESPN, celebrate excellence in sports performance yearly. The Pat Tillman Award for Service, traditionally given to unsung heroes, recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions through their service efforts. Last year, the award was bestowed upon members of the Buffalo Bills' American football team training staff for their life-saving actions on the field.
Despite ESPN's commendation of Harry for his tireless work in making a positive impact on the veteran community through the power of sport, the decision has triggered widespread criticism. Sources close to Harry acknowledged that the backlash has dampened the excitement surrounding the award, likening it to the previous controversies Harry has faced regarding his military service and public image. Sources told The Telegraph that it's a bitter pill to swallow when Harry is criticized about anything relating to his military record and work with veterans. Harry's legacy with the Invictus Games and the achievements he has made are his real passion; this is the space in which he truly feels at home, and it's something he deeply cares about. The reaction certainly took the shine off the award, the source acknowledged, similar to when Harry, who completed two tours of Afghanistan as an Apache helicopter pilot, was recognized as a living legend of aviation at a star-studded ceremony in Beverly Hills, California, in January. He joined the likes of astronauts Buzz Aldrin, James Lovell, and Tim Peake in picking up the prestigious award. Admiral Lord West, former head of the Royal Navy, brutally said he is not a living legend.
The announcement of Harry's award nomination on June 27th swiftly led to renewed scrutiny and debate. Critics argue that Harry's privileged background and resources set him apart from less well-connected veterans who may be more deserving of recognition. The controversy has spurred a Change.org petition, which has gathered over 66,000 signatures opposing Harry's acceptance of the award. In response to the criticism, some have called for the removal of Pat Tillman's name from the award if Mary Tillman's objections are not addressed. However, it is noted that Pat Tillman's widow, Marie Tillman Shenton, who oversees the foundation, holds significant influence over the award's operations and decisions. Unfortunately, Mary Tillman was removed from the board by a former daughter-in-law for her objections to how the award was run.
Pat Tillman married his widow two months before he joined the service, and they were married for two years until his untimely death. The widow remarried and has five children with her current husband, who is on the board of the Pat Tillman Award. Financial records indicate that most of the money from the award goes to salaries, with Marie Tillman Shenton having the top salary. Critics claim this is a greedy cash grab by Marie to live off Pat's legacy.
