Amid earlier backlash, Prince Harry received the Pat Tillman honour for service at the Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly Awards (ESPY) in Los Angeles on Wednesday night.
Last week, War martyr Pat Tillman’s mother, Mary, expressed her shock at Prince Harry being named for the award. She said, “I am shocked as to why they would select such a controversial and divisive individual to receive the award.”
Mary criticised the network’s choice of Prince Harry for the award, suggesting more deserving recipients in the veteran community.Despite this, Harry thanked Tillman’s widow, Marie, and acknowledged Mary Tillman’s advocacy for her son’s legacy.
Harry said, “Her advocacy for Pat’s legacy is deeply personal and one that I respect. The bond between a mother and son is eternal and transcends even the greatest losses.”
The Duke of Sussex received the award in recognition of his work with the Invictus Games 2014, a Paralympic-style competition he founded for wounded service members.
Harry was welcomed with a standing ovation, with his wife Meghan Markle joining in the applause.
Harry said, “This award belongs to them, not to me,” standing on the stage of the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles.
Harry accepted the trophy from three service veterans injured during their tours of duty. Having served 10 years in the British military, including two tours in Afghanistan as a helicopter pilot, Harry’s military background resonated with the veterans.
Ahead of the ESPY Awards, ESPN announced that Prince Harry would be honoured for using his platform to “change the world and make it more inclusive for marginalised and suffering communities, demonstrating incredible resilience, positivity and perseverance.” according to ABC World.
The ESPYs also honoured other athletes, including A’ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces, who won Best Women’s Sports Athlete, and JuJu Watkins, who took home Best Breakthrough Athlete. The award show started 30 minutes late due to President Joe Biden’s news conference.
Last week, War martyr Pat Tillman’s mother, Mary, expressed her shock at Prince Harry being named for the award. She said, “I am shocked as to why they would select such a controversial and divisive individual to receive the award.”
Mary criticised the network’s choice of Prince Harry for the award, suggesting more deserving recipients in the veteran community.Despite this, Harry thanked Tillman’s widow, Marie, and acknowledged Mary Tillman’s advocacy for her son’s legacy.
Harry said, “Her advocacy for Pat’s legacy is deeply personal and one that I respect. The bond between a mother and son is eternal and transcends even the greatest losses.”
The Duke of Sussex received the award in recognition of his work with the Invictus Games 2014, a Paralympic-style competition he founded for wounded service members.
Harry was welcomed with a standing ovation, with his wife Meghan Markle joining in the applause.
Harry said, “This award belongs to them, not to me,” standing on the stage of the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles.
Harry accepted the trophy from three service veterans injured during their tours of duty. Having served 10 years in the British military, including two tours in Afghanistan as a helicopter pilot, Harry’s military background resonated with the veterans.
Ahead of the ESPY Awards, ESPN announced that Prince Harry would be honoured for using his platform to “change the world and make it more inclusive for marginalised and suffering communities, demonstrating incredible resilience, positivity and perseverance.” according to ABC World.
The ESPYs also honoured other athletes, including A’ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces, who won Best Women’s Sports Athlete, and JuJu Watkins, who took home Best Breakthrough Athlete. The award show started 30 minutes late due to President Joe Biden’s news conference.