Prince Harry was slammed this week by the mother of the late NFL star and war hero Pat Tillman.
Mary Tillman made her remarks in response to the news that ESPN plans to honor Harry at this year’s ESPY Awards with the humanitarian award named for her son.
Pat Tillman was killed while serving in Afghanistan in 2004.
Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex departs The Invictus Games Foundation 10th Anniversary Service at St Paul’s Cathedral on May 08, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images for Invictus Games Foundation)
“I am shocked as to why they would select such a controversial and divisive individual to receive the award,” Mary told the Daily Mail this week.
“There are recipients that are far more fitting,” she added.
“There are individuals working in the veteran community that are doing tremendous things to assist veterans.”
Prince Harry Slammed Ahead of 2024 ESPY Awards
Safety Pat Tillman #40 of the Arizona Cardinals looks on during a game against the Oakland Raiders at the Sun Devil Stadium October 4 1998 in Tempe, Arizona. Tillman, a U.S. Army Ranger and former Arizona Cardinals strong safety was reportly killed in Afghanistan while serving as an Army Ranger. (Photo by Todd Warshaw/Getty Images)
For those who are unfamiliar with his story, Pat Tillman was a star safety for the Arizona Cardinals who joined US Army Rangers in response to the 9/11 attacks.
After walking away from his multimillion-dollar salary, Tillman served several combat tours before being killed by friendly fire in the mountains of Afghanistan.
In the years since his tragic death, Tillman’s name has become synonymous with service and sacrifice.
Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex arrives at The Invictus Games Foundation 10th Anniversary Service at St Paul’s Cathedral on May 08, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images for Invictus Games Foundation)
And many believe that Prince Harry has not earned the right to be mentioned alongside him.
Prince Harry Receives Criticism From ESPN Anchor
Mary Tillman is not alone in her criticism of the decision to grant the award to Harry.
Controversial ESPN commentator Pat McAfee echoed her comments during his latest appearance on the network.
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Patron of the Invictus Games Foundation onstage during The Invictus Games Foundation Conversation titled “Realising a Global Community” at the Honourable Artillery Company on May 07, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images for The Invictus Games Foundation)
“It’s going to Prince Harry, who I don’t even think is a Prince anymore, right? He said don’t call me that?” McAfee said on his show.
“See, why does the ESPYs do this s–t? This is like actually the most embarrassing thing I’ve seen in my entire life,” he added.
ESPN’s decision appears to be the result of Harry’s work with the Invictus Games.
He co-founded the athletic competition for wounded veterans back in 2014.
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex waves as he arrives to attend a ceremony marking the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games, at St Paul’s Cathedral in central London, on May 8, 2024. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Several outlets have reached out to Harry’s camp. But the Duke of Sussex has thus far declined to comment on the situation.
The 2024 ESPY Awards will take place on July 11, with Serena Williams serving as host.
The guest list is meticulously curated, so Harry probably won’t hear any boos when he accepts his award.
But the moment is likely to generate some controversy on social media.
Prince Harry’s New Controversy: Slammed By Mother of Pat Tillman Over ESPYs Honor was originally published on The Hollywood Gossip.