The backlash that came with naming Prince Harry as the person to receive the Pat Tillman Award for Service left him “stunned”.
It was informed in New York Post that ESPN announcement brought about controversies and critics from all corners, including Mary Tillman, who is the hero’s late mom.
The Duke of Sussex, 39 years old, will be awarded at an ESPY Awards ceremony in Los Angeles on July 11th where he is to be honored with the Pat Tillman Award for Service due to his work running invictus games.
“This is his natural habitat; it’s what he cares most about. But there has been a lot of blowback,” said one source close to him. This reaction definitely dampened the appeal of this award.”
Last week, Mary, mother of the award recipient commented on her astonishment why Prince Harry was chosen for this role.” I’m stunned that they would select someone so polarizing and contentious for this award” she declared
She further pointed out how there are other people who deserve recognition especially those who are actively involved in military service members lives putting a lot into helping them. The Daily Mail reported that these individuals lack access to financing or influential contacts like Prince Harry does however it is them who need acknowledgment.
On June 27th when ESPN announced yesterday that Harry had won the Pat Tillman Award for service, there was an immediate swell up that grew louder & angrier almost immediately after news broke last night.
ESPN defended its decision saying Invictus Games were meant to “celebrate something worth celebrating.” The New York Post reports that recipients must have contributed so significantly that their efforts mirror those made by former NFL star and US Army Ranger known as Tillman who joined after September 11 attacks but later died due to friendly fire while fighting in Afghanistan in 2004. He received posthumously Silver Star and Purple Heart awards according to NY Post.
Nearly 68,000 people signed a petition calling on ESPN to reconsider its choice.
According to the Daily Mail, Former NFL player Pat McAfee also weighed in on the issue, pointing out that ESPN as world’s leader in sports should celebrate athleticism. However, he argued that their current moves were merely engineered to create fury.
“Why not make up another category just for this guy?” joked McAffee in his piece for The Daily Mail. “Something like an ESPY for British royal who is not allowed to use the word ‘royal’ but loves sports.”
