Veteran mother shocked by award for Prince Harry
For his work with the Invictus Games Foundation, Prince Harry is to receive a Military Award. However, there is strong criticism. The mother of the veteran after whom the award is named has also spoken out against Harry as the presenter. She calls him a "controversial and divisive person", she says.
Prince Harry is to receive an award from the Invictus Games Foundation in July. A few days ago, it was announced that the Royal would receive the "Pat Tillman Award for Service" at the ESPY Awards. However, there is now strong opposition to this, including from the mother of the veteran after whom the award is named.
The "Pat Tillman Award for Service" is an award given to a person with a strong connection to sports who has served in a way that reflects the legacy of former NFL player and U.S. Army Ranger Pat Tillman (1976-2004). Tillman joined the military after September 11, 2001, and was killed by friendly fire in Afghanistan in 2004 during an operation.
According to the British "Daily Mail", Tillman's mother Mary states that she was not consulted about the decision to give the award to Prince Harry. "I am shocked that such a controversial and divisive person was chosen", the newspaper quotes her as saying. In her opinion, there are people who are "much more deserving". "There are people who work in the veteran community and do great things to support veterans. These people don't have the money, resources, connections, or privileges that Prince Harry has. I believe these people should be recognized."
Petition against Harry
A petition was even opened on the "change.org" platform over the weekend, urging the organizers to reconsider their decision. The petition states: "Prince Harry is indeed a former military officer, but was involved in controversies that call into question his suitability for an award of this magnitude." By Sunday evening, the petition had nearly 10,000 signatures.
The ESPY Awards have been given out annually by the ESPN media group since 1993, primarily to athletes. In 2023, the award went to the members of the Buffalo Bills football team, who revived a teammate on the field. ESPN announced that Prince Harry would be honored "in recognition of his tireless efforts for the veteran community through the power of sports".
Despite the ESPN's announcement of Prince Harry receiving the "Pat Tillman Award for Service" at the ESPY Awards, controversy continues to surround his selection. Mary Tillman, the mother of the award's namesake, publicly expressed her opposition, labeling Prince Harry as a "controversial and divisive person." She believes that individuals who work tirelessly for the veteran community and lack the privileges that Prince Harry possesses are more deserving of recognition.
The British Royal Family's involvement in entertainment often garners attention, and Prince Harry's upcoming appearance at the ESPY Awards is no exception. His receipt of the "Pat Tillman Award for Service" has sparked debate, with some seeing it as a tribute to his service and dedication to the veteran community, while others question his qualifications in light of past controversies.
