Prince Harry accepted the Pat Tillman Award at Thursday’s ESPYs ceremony following controversy regarding the foundation’s choice to honor him. The prince received the award in recognition of the 10th anniversary of his Invictus Games.
“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 Foundation a reality,” the prince said onstage. “This award belongs to them, not to me.”
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 is “given to a person with a strong connection to sports who has served others in a way that echoes [his] legacy,” per ESPN.
Harry received the award in recognition of The Invictus Games, his sports competition platform for wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women. Prior to the award’s presentation, audiences watched a reel highlighting the positive effect of the organization on veterans from around the world.
“The spirit of the Invictus Games transcends race, time and borders,” Harry continued. “It is born from unity and exerts purpose.”
Following news that the prince was set to receive the honor, Tillman’s mother, Mary, spoke out against the decision, telling the Daily Mail she was “shocked” by the choice.
“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,” she said. “There are individuals working in the veteran community that 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 recognized.”
Onstage Thursday, Harry acknowledged Mary, 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.” The prince also thanked the Pat Tillman Foundation and the rest of Tillman’s family.
Following the initial controversy, ESPN responded to The Hollywood Reporter with a statement noting that Prince Harry was receiving the award “with the support of the Tillman Foundation” and 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.”
The statement continued, “While we understand not everyone will agree with all honorees selected for any award, The Invictus Games Foundation does incredible work and ESPN believes this is a cause worth celebrating.”
Last year’s Tillman Award recipients were the training staff of the Buffalo Bills, who helped save the life of safety Damar Hamlin on the field in January 2023.
Prince Harry was one of three special honorees at this year’s ESPY Awards. Former NFL safety Steve Gleason was honored with 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. Serena Williams hosted the evening, with Simone Biles, Jaylen Brown, Caitlin Clark, Coco Gauff, Patrick Mahomes and Shohei Ohtani among the top nominees.
