Prince Harry Receives Special Award But Faces CRITICISM

Daily Report July 12,2024

Prince Harry was presented with the Pat Tillman Award for Service at this year’s ESPYs on Thursday night, honoring him as a military veteran after the late hero’s mother said she was “shocked” it was going to the “controversial and divisive individual.”

The 39-year-old Duke of Sussex was accompanied by his wife Meghan Markle, also aged 42.

Harry broke down in tears as he was introduced by veterans and past Tillman Award winners and Invictus athletes Marine Sgt. Kirstie Ennis, Army Sgt. Elizabeth Marksand, and US Air Force Master Sgt.Israel Del Toro Jr., for his work with the Invictus Games which he founded in 2014 to give injured servicemen worldwide an opportunity to compete at sports while also healing their scars inside.

“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,” said the exiled royal, who reportedly considered declining the award ahead of the ceremony after the backlash.

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ESPN’s announcement drew criticism despite Harry’s efforts to downplay the controversy. ESPN responded by defending their choice, explaining that Harry’s co-founding of the Invictus Games and involvement as a patron of the organization “is an event-worthy cause.”

In his speech, Harry thanked the presence of Mary Tillman among the public.

“The bond between a mother and son is eternal and transcends even the greatest losses,” he said, appearing to reference the 1997 death of his own mother, Princess Diana, when he was just 12 years old.

The prince explained that the word “invictus” comes from Latin for “undefeated,” and was made famous by poet Ernest Henley in a poem beloved by South African leader Nelson Mandela.

“Like that poem, the spirit of the Invictus Games transcends race, times and borders,” Harry said, noting that thousands of veterans from 20 countries have participated with his foundation.

“This year we’re celebrating 10 years of witnessing life-changing impact and healing through sport,” he said, to applause.

Tillman, a former Arizona Cardinals safety, who went on to serve in Iraq and Afghanistan before suffering his death by friendly fire at the hands of fellow Army Rangers in 2004, received both The Silver Star and Purple Heart in honor of his sacrifice.

In turn Harry founded the Invictus Games in 2014 – a multi-sport event for Paralympic style sports, created specifically for wounded or sick armed services personnel and veterans.

Former NFL safety Steve Gleason was awarded the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage. Gleason spent seven seasons in the NFL, all with the New Orleans Saints from 2000-06 until he retired following the ’08 season. The former three-sport high school athlete was diagnosed with ALS — also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease — in 2011.

Harry was also awarded the Living Legends of Aviation award in January by host John Travolta.