The mother of Pat Tillman, a US soldier and NFL great, has spoken out against the plan to give Prince Harry the ESPN award named after her son.
On June 27, it was revealed that the 39-year-old Duke of Sussex would receive the Pat Tillman Award for Service at the 2024 ESPY Awards to commemorate his effect on the veteran community through the Invictus Games.
Pat Tillman’s mother, Mary Tillman, told the Daily Mail that she was “shocked” by the decision.
“I am shocked as to why they would select such a controversial and divisive individual to receive the award,” she remarked, according to the source.
“There are recipients who are significantly more appropriate,” Mary said. “These people do not have the money, resources, connections, or privilege that Prince Harry does. “I think we should honor those kinds of people.”
People contacted the Duke of Sussex’s representatives for comment.
ESPN said in a statement: “ESPN, with the support of the Tillman Foundation, is honoring Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, specifically for the work of The Invictus Games Foundation, which is celebrating its tenth year of promoting healing through the power of sport for military service members and veterans worldwide. While we appreciate that not everyone will agree with all of the award winners, the Invictus Games Foundation performs amazing work, and ESPN feels it is a cause worth honoring.”
While Mary stated that she was not consulted about the prize winner, she has not previously been engaged in the selection of recipients for the award named after her son.
Pat enrolled in the military after 9/11, ending his NFL career. He died in Afghanistan in 2004, at the age of 27.
Every year, ESPN presents the Pat Tillman Award for Service to someone who has used their connection to the world of athletics to positively impact others’ lives. The Buffalo Bills training staff received recognition last year for their efforts in saving Damar Hamlin’s life following a heart attack during a game.
Prince Harry, who spent ten years in the British Army and completed two tours in Afghanistan, established the Invictus Games in 2014. The adapted sports tournament for wounded, injured, and sick military personnel, both current and veterans, has taken place six times around the world, with the 2023 event in Düsseldorf hosting 21 nations and 500 competitors.
Retired Chief Master Sgt. Garrett Kuwada, a Team USA participant, told people in 2023 that the Invictus Games were part of his “healing process.”
“Even today, when I peeked outside, everyone was smiling.” Every competitor out there is smiling. And they come from a variety of nations,” he explained. “I’m really pleased that Prince Harry organized this for us veterans to get together and use as part of our rehabilitation process. Everyone is happy, so we are making progress.
Garrett’s wife, Joey, said the Invictus Games gave her husband “purpose” and that the event was “lifesaving” for Garrett and other service members.
“This is a lifesaving measure for numerous individuals,” she informed us. “According to Garrett’s and my narrative, this is something that soldiers have done to save their lives.” He looks forward to competing because it gives him a purpose and something to work for. He’s retired, and his sole occupation is to be an athlete and competitor. Therefore, providing something similar for these injured soldiers and women is essential. Many veterans believe that their lives are over, and they have nothing positive to look forward to. However, as you can see, these games convey a very different tale.
Mike Bourgeois, a member of Canada’s archery squad for the 2022 Invictus Games, told PEOPLE earlier this year that Prince Harry “gets recharged” at the event.
“He’s with his people now; he’s with the soldiers and veterans, and those are shared experiences,” Bourgeois said during the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025’s One Year to Go ceremonies in February.
“You can just watch him fill up as the day progresses.” “He cares about every individual athlete and their families right now,” he said.
Major Joanna Labonté, an Invictus Games Team Canada alumnus, told PEOPLE in February that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s focus on the sports event made her feel like the “world is paying attention.”
“It makes us feel like our commitment and our sacrifice for our country matter,” she told me.
In 2022, Prince Harry told people that the Invictus community had been “a major part of my growth and learning.”
“Creating the Games involved listening to military and veteran families and learning directly about their experiences, which provided invaluable perspective. The Duke of Sussex stated, “It’s been a lesson in serving a purpose greater than ourselves, and the benefits extend to both the individual and the community.”