Prince Harry received the Pat Tillman Award for Service at the 2024 ESPYS event in Los Angeles on Thursday, despite a backlash from the mother of Pat Tillman, the football player who left his NFL career to serve in the military after 9/11.
The award recognised the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games, which Prince Harry founded. The games honour wounded, injured, and sick servicemen and women, celebrating resilience and healing through sports.
2024 ESPYS Honouring Pat Tillman’s Legacy
Pat Tillman was a safety for the Arizona Cardinals who enlisted in the U.S. Army after the 9/11 attacks. He was killed in Afghanistan in 2004 in a friendly fire incident. His eponymous award, according to ESPN, is “given to a person with a strong connection to sports who has served others in a way that echoes [his] legacy.”
ESPN’s Announcement and Prince Harry’s Response
Last month, ESPN announced Prince Harry would receive the award, citing “his tireless work in making a positive impact for the veteran community” through The Invictus Games Foundation. The foundation’s sporting event for wounded servicemen and women celebrates “resilience, community, and healing through the power of sport.”
At the Dolby Theatre, Prince Harry expressed his “gratitude” to the Pat Tillman Foundation, with his wife, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, by his side.
“The truth is, I stand here not as Prince Harry, Pat Tillman award recipient, but rather a voice on behalf of the Invictus Games Foundation and the thousands of veterans and service personnel from over 20 nations who have made the Invictus Games a reality. This award belongs to them. Not to me,” he said.
Impact of the Invictus Games
Prince Harry emphasized the importance of highlighting the achievements, spirit, and courage of the allies, athletes, and their families involved in the Invictus Games. He noted that the games have contributed to reducing veteran suicides over the past decade. “The spirit of the Invictus Games transcends race, time, and borders. It is born from unity and exudes purpose,” he continued.
Addressing the Controversy
Despite Mary Tillman’s opposition to the award, Prince Harry acknowledged her onstage, saying her “advocacy for Pat’s legacy is deeply personal, and one that I respect. The bond between the mother and son is eternal, and transcends even the greatest losses.” He thanked the Pat Tillman Foundation and the rest of Tillman’s family.
Following the initial controversy, ESPN reiterated that Prince Harry was honoured with the support of the Tillman Foundation, 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.” ESPN acknowledged that not everyone would agree with the honorees but maintained that The Invictus Games Foundation’s work is worth celebrating.
Other Honorees at the 2024 ESPY Awards
Prince Harry was one of three special honorees at this year’s ESPY Awards. Former NFL safety Steve Gleason received the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage for his fight with ALS, and the University of South Carolina women’s basketball head coach, U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame member, and Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame member Dawn Staley received the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance. The evening was hosted by Serena Williams, with Caitlin Clark, Patrick Mahomes, Shohei Ohtani, Simone Biles, and Lamar Jackson among the night’s big winners. See the complete list of winners from the 2024 ESPYS