ESPY Awards triggers fresh backlash after teasing Prince Harry’s appearance to accept Pat Tillman award for service

A promotional video for this year’s ESPY Awards has reignited backlash after teasing Prince Harry’s appearance in accepting a service award.

The Duke of Sussex, 39, is due to be honored with the Pat Tillman Award for Service for his Invictus Games work at the glitzy ESPY Awards in Los Angeles tonight.

Tillman, an American football star who gave up a multi-million dollar contract to enlist in the US Army after 9/11, had his life tragically cut short at just 27 when he was killed by friendly fire while serving in Afghanistan in 2004. 

‘Tonight was made for royalty,’ the caption of the promotional video posted on Instagram read. ‘Join Prince Harry Duke of Sussex, Quinta Brunson, & a special performance by Ciara at the #ESPYS at 8/7c on ABC!’

Users on social media didn’t hold back when expressing their outrage.

Tillman was hailed in the US after giving up his lucrative career with the Arizona Cardinals to enlist as an Army Ranger. He served in Iraq and then Afghanistan, where he was killed in 2004

‘Unbelievable. What a joke,’ commented a user.

Serena Williams – a close friend of Meghan Markle – will host of this year’s ESPYs. 

She posted a promo on her X account of her satirically warming up her voice next to a sign that reads ‘Quiet Please.’

The caption read: ‘No one tells me what to do/ tune in tomorrow… to watch me host the ESPYS!’

Some users are speculating that the only reason Prince Harry is getting an award is because of a ‘quid pro quo’ deal between Williams and the Duke.

There’s no evidence to support that claim, with Harry hailed for his service in the British Army and for setting up the Invictus Games for injured veterans.  

‘We knew the ESPY awards were bought and sold when Caitlyn Jenner made a deal with ABC to get the Arthur Ashe Courage Award in exchange for giving them his first interview as a transwoman,’ commented an angry user. 

‘We know you made a quid pro quo deal for Harry.’

Serena Williams – a close friend of Meghan Markle – will host of this year’s ESPYs

The backlash against Prince Harry’s award has been going for weeks, with many Americans are calling on him to turn down the ESPN Pat Tillman award.

Pat’s mother Mary Tillman has slammed the decision give Prince Harry an award honoring her dead son and said she’s wasn’t consulted. 

‘I am shocked as to why they would select such a controversial and divisive individual to receive the award,’ she said.

‘There are recipients that are far more fitting. There are individuals working in the veteran community that 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.’  

The ESPY Awards (Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly) is run by the sports TV network ESPN and the Pat Tillman Award has previously been given to unsung heroes.

Last year it went to members of the Buffalo Bills American football team training staff who revived a dying player on the field.

ESPN said Harry was being honored for his ‘tireless work in making a positive impact for the veteran community through the power of sport’ with his Invictus Games.

A petition with more than 68,000 signatures has demanded ESPN drop Harry from the awards because he had been ‘involved in controversies that call into question his suitability to receive an honor of this magnitude’.

New Jersey resident Patti Mickel, who started the petition, said ‘the Pat Tillman award should be representative of his values and should honor someone who, like Tillman, has shown unwavering dedication to their squad and country.’

‘Awarding this honor to someone who does not reflect the award’s intent diminishes its value and disrespects Tillman’s memory.’

Pat Tillman was hailed in the US after giving up his lucrative career with the Arizona Cardinals to enlist as an Army Ranger.

He served in Iraq and then Afghanistan, where he was killed by friendly fire in 2004. He was awarded the Silver Star and Purple Heart for bravery.

Prince Harry (pictured with Meghan) was ‘stunned’ by the backlash he faced after being nominated for the award

The Duke of Sussex completed two tours of Afghanistan as an Apache helicopter pilot

One signatory of the petition, Tania Smith, said ‘Pat Tillman embodied service and sacrifice, doing his patriotic duty’ but ‘Harry represents none of these qualities.’

She added: ‘He publicly disrespected his family, ran away from service to his country as a royal… He is unworthy of this award.’

A source said: ‘It’s incredibly hurtful that the family had no say in this. Pat Tillman was a unifying force for good. Harry is divisive… There are many unsung heroes who are far more deserving.’

A spokesman for ESPN said: ‘ESPN, with the support of the Tillman Foundation, is honoring Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, specifically for the work of The Invictus Games Foundation as it celebrates its 10th year promoting healing through the power of sport for military service members and veterans around the world.

‘While we understand not everyone will agree with all honorees selected for any award, The Invictus Games Foundation does incredible work and ESPN believes this is a cause worth celebrating.’