An emotional Prince Harry attended a glitzy awards evening in California on July 11 to receive the Pat Tillman Award for service from sports channel ESPN, given to individuals in the sporting world who have made significant contributions to the lives of others.
GB News TV host has since called labelled the acceptance as “embarrassing” for the Prince. Nana Akua wrote: “How can they not see how jarring this must be for Pat’s mother and family? It beggars belief.”
She opined: “They don’t want him to pick up the award even if he believes he is picking it up on behalf of others, he should respect that. Any last shred of credibility is well and truly gone. How embarrassing.”
The Duke of Sussex accepted the award amid a backdrop of criticism, including Pat Tillman’s mother who condemned the decision to name the royal as the winner of the prize.
Pat’s mother Mary Tillman told the Mail on Sunday last month: “I am shocked as to why they would select such a controversial and divisive individual to receive the award.
“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 recognised.”
The award was named after the late Pat Tillman, a former American footballer who gave up his career to serve in the US military in the wake of 9/11. He was subsequently and tragically killed in Afghanistan in 2004.
The Duke of Sussex, 39, was given the honour for his work with the Invictus Games, which celebrates the sporting achievements of wounded, sick or injured service people. Harry also previously served in the Army for 10 years, rising to the rank of Captain and undertaking two tours of Afghanistan.
After news of the nomination, a change.org petition was launched against the duke, urging ESPN to “rethink” its decision to give him “to receive an honour of this magnitude”.
Upon receiving his award Prince Harry thanked Tillman’s widow, Marie, for her attendance and acknowledged Mary Tillman. He said: “Her advocacy for Pat’s legacy is deeply personal and one that I respect.”
He also gave a touching tribute to his own mum, the late Princess Diana, and added: “The bond between a mother and son is eternal and transcends even the greatest losses.”
Speaking of the Invictus Games Harry also said: “While so much progress has been made since those first games, the world outside seems to be in an even more precarious state.” The prince stressed that the award did not “belong” to him but to everyone involved in the games.
ESPN previously said Harry was being honoured for his “tireless work in making a positive impact for the veteran community through the power of sport”.
The 2024 ESPY (Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly) ceremony at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles was hosted by tennis champion Serena Williams, a friend of the Duchess of Sussex.
Past award recipients include Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford, whose high-profile campaign persuaded the government to provide free meals to vulnerable youngsters through school holidays during the pandemic.