Award for Prince Harry - US broadcaster justifies award for the Royal
At this year's ESPY-Awards, Prince Harry (39), the Duke of Sussex, is set to receive the "Pat Tillman Award for Service" on July 11 in Los Angeles. Tillman's mother is not in favor of the honor for Harry. ESPN has now spoken out about the issue.
"A thing worth celebrating"
"ESPN honors the Tillman Foundation's support of Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, specifically for the work of the Invictus Games Foundation, which this year celebrates its ten-year anniversary and promotes the healing of military personnel and veterans around the world through the power of sports," the "New York Post" quotes the broadcaster in a statement. "We understand that not everyone will agree with all prize recipients, but the Invictus Games Foundation does incredible work, and ESPN believes this is a thing worth celebrating."
The ESPY-Awards, or ESPYs, are annual awards where sports achievements are recognized. At the end of June, the broadcaster announced that the Prince would be honored for his work with the Invictus Games Foundation, which is responsible for the Invictus Games initiated by Harry.
Regarding the "Pat Tillman Award for Service," ESPN states that it is "an award given to a person with a strong connection to sports who has served others in a way that reflects the legacy of the former NFL player and U.S. Army Ranger Pat Tillman." After the 9/11 attacks, Tillman joined the military. He was killed by friendly fire in Afghanistan in 2004 during an operation.
Tillman's mother expresses criticism
Shortly thereafter, Tillman's mother, Mary, spoke out and expressed criticism of the decision. "I'm shocked that such a controversial and divisive person was chosen," the British "Daily Mail" quotes. In her opinion, there are other people who are much more deserving. In the veteran community, there are people who do excellent work but lack the resources or connections of a Prince Harry. A petition on the website "change.org" calling on ESPN to reconsider its decision had garnered almost 45,000 signatures by the time this article was published.
- At the upcoming ESPYs in Los Angeles on July 11, Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, will receive the "Pat Tillman Award for Service."
- The ESPY Awards, or ESPYs, are where sports achievements are celebrated annually, and this year, Harry is being honored for his work with the Invictus Games Foundation.
- ESPN highlights the Tillman Foundation's support of Harry and the Invictus Games Foundation, which promotes healing for military personnel and veterans globally through sports.
- The "New York Post" reports that ESPN believes the recognition of Harry is "a thing worth celebrating," despite controversy surrounding his selection for the award.
- The "Pat Tillman Award for Service" is given to individuals with a strong connection to sports who have served others, embodying the legacy of the late NFL player and U.S. Army Ranger, Pat Tillman.
- Mary Tillman, Pat Tillman's mother, criticizes ESPN's decision to honor Harry, expressing her surprise and belief that other, more deserving individuals should have received the award.
- A petition on "change.org" has gained over 44,000 signatures calling on ESPN to reconsider its decision to honor Prince Harry with the "Pat Tillman Award for Service."
- Despite controversy, the Invictus Games, initiated by Prince Harry, continues to promote sports as a tool for the healing and empowerment of military personnel and veterans, including those in the veteran community who lack resources or connections.
