UPDATE
Jul 12, 2024 12:30 AM CDT
Prince Harry accepted the Pat Tillman Award for Service on Thursday night at the ESPY Awards, and mentioned the mother of the NFL player turned soldier who was killed by friendly fire in Afghanistan. Mary Tillman was among those who criticized ESPN's choice of honoree, and in his acceptance speech, Harry acknowledged her, the AP reports. "Her advocacy for Pat's legacy is deeply personal and one that I respect," he said. "The bond between a mother and son is eternal and transcends even the greatest losses." He also thanked Tillman's widow, Marie, for attending the ceremony.
Jul 1, 2024 1:00 AM CDT
ESPN announced last week that this year's recipient of the Pat Tillman Award for Service will be Prince Harry. Fox News reacted thusly: "If you're confused, you're not alone." Tillman was the former NFL player who turned down millions to leave the sport and enlist in the Army after the September 11 terrorist attacks. He was killed by friendly fire amid combat in Afghanistan in 2004, and the award in his honor was established 10 years later. The British royal was named as this year's honoree due to his work in founding the Invictus Games for veterans, but some were still pushing back on the choice.
- Tillman's mother spoke to the Daily Mail, telling the British tabloid, "I am shocked as to why they would select such a controversial and divisive individual." She pointed to other people working to assist veterans as a more "fitting" choice, and said she believes people who "do not have the money, resources, connections, or privilege that Prince Harry has" should be the ones honored by the award.