Prince Harry will be honored with the Pat Tillman Award for Service at the 2024 ESPYS, which take place next month and will be hosted by tennis legend Serena Williams.
The award is ‘given 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 and U.S. Army Ranger, Pat Tillman,’ according to ESPN.
The Duke of Sussex is receiving the award ‘in honor of his tireless work in making a positive impact for the veteran community through the power of sport.’
Former NFL safety Steve Gleason, who has been battling ALS since 2011, will receive the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage, while legendary basketball coach Dawn Staley will receive the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance.
Prince Harry served in the British armed forces for a decade before founding the Invictus Games Foundation, which has ‘created an international platform to support wounded, injured, and sick servicemen and women.’
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Now in their 10th year, the Invictus Games see wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women – both serving and veterans – compete across different sports.
According to ESPN, The Invictus Games ‘have transcended borders and impacted lives across every continent, bringing together competitors from 23 nations, with continued support and programming 365 days of the year.’
Last year, the award went to to the Buffalo Bills Training Staff after they saved the life of Damar Hamlin, who suffered a cardiac arrest on the field only to make a miraculous return to the NFL.
Manchester United and England star Marcus Rashford was given the Pat Tillman Award in 2021, after raising millions of dollars during the COVID-19 pandemic to help feed children.
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Other previous winners include Kirstie Ennis, a former marine who lost her leg in Afghanistan before walking 1,000 miles across Britain for charity event and earning three swimming gold medals in swimming at the Warrior Games.
After announcing the ‘special honorees’ of this year’s ESPYS, which take place on July 11, ESPN’s Kate Jackson said: ‘It’s our privilege to recognize three incredible individuals – Steve Gleason, Dawn Staley and Prince Harry.
‘These honorees have used their platforms to change the world and make it more inclusive for marginalized and suffering communities, demonstrating incredible resilience, positivity and perseverance, and we’re thrilled to celebrate them at The 2024 ESPYS.’
Prince Harry, who is now based in Los Angeles with his wife Meghan and their two children Archie and Lilibet, has accepted a number of high-profile awards in recent years.
Earlier this year, Harry was named an inductee into the ‘Living Legends of Aviation’, with the awards honoring ‘those who have made significant contributions to aviation/aerospace.’
Back in 2022, meanwhile, the Duke and Duchess were celebrated at the Ripple of Hope Awards for their work to battle racism and oppression.
The royal couple were joined at the event by other honorees including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Harry and Meghan were given the award by Kerry Kennedy, the daughter of Robert Kennedy. She explained that the gong was in recognition of their speaking out against racism within the royal family.
Kennedy also praised the couple’s efforts in relation to the Black Lives Matter movement, and gender equality through Meghan’s Archetypes podcast.
That same year, Prince Harry and Meghan accepted the President’s Award at the NAACP Image Awards.
They appeared on stage in LA’s Pasadena Civic Auditorium to receive the award in recognition of special achievement and distinguished public service.
Harry and Meghan were honored for their work helping a Texas women’s shelter, promoting vaccine equity and creating community relief centers.
Prince Harry will receive another gong next month, with Meghan’s close friend Williams hosting the ESPYS.
The tennis legend first met the Duchess at a Super Bowl party in 2010. The couple invited Williams to their wedding. She also attended Meghan’s star-studded baby shower in New York City when she was pregnant with Archie.
According to a biographer of Serena, their friendship quickly evolved through frequent phone calls and texts, with Markle leaning on Serena for advice on how to handle the paparazzi and life as a mother.