Prince Harry’s recent recognition with the prestigious Pat Tillman Award for Service at the 2024 ESPY Awards has sparked a heated debate, with Mary Tillman, mother of the award’s namesake, publicly criticizing the decision. The award, which honors individuals who positively impact the veteran community through sports, was given to Prince Harry for his work with the Invictus Games. However, Mary Tillman believes there are more deserving recipients.

A Controversial Choice
The announcement on June 27 that Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, would receive the Pat Tillman Award for Service at the ESPY Awards has stirred significant controversy. Mary Tillman, the mother of Pat Tillman, an NFL star who left his sports career to serve in the military and was tragically killed in Afghanistan, expressed her disapproval. She described herself as “shocked” by the selection, calling it “controversial and divisive.”

“I am shocked as to why they would select such a controversial and divisive individual to receive the award,” Mary Tillman told the Daily Mail. “There are recipients that are far more fitting. There are individuals working in the veteran community that are doing tremendous things to assist veterans. These individuals do not have the money, resources, connections, or privilege that Prince Harry has. I feel that those types of individuals should be recognized.”

ESPN’s Defense
In response to the backlash, ESPN issued a statement defending their choice, emphasizing the significant impact of the Invictus Games, an international adaptive sports competition founded by Prince Harry in 2014. The statement highlighted the Games’ role in promoting healing through sports for military service members and veterans worldwide.

“ESPN, with the support of the Tillman Foundation, is honoring Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, specifically for the work of The Invictus Games Foundation as it celebrates its 10th year promoting healing through the power of sport for military service members and veterans around the world. While we understand not everyone will agree with all honorees selected for any award, the Invictus Games Foundation does incredible work, and ESPN believes this is a cause worth celebrating,” the statement read.

Prince Harry’s Military and Charitable Contributions
Prince Harry’s decade-long service in the British Army, including two tours in Afghanistan, and his subsequent founding of the Invictus Games underscore his deep connection to the veteran community. The Invictus Games have become a beacon of hope and recovery for wounded, injured, and sick service personnel and veterans.

Team U.S.A. member Retired Chief Master Sgt. Garrett Kuwada shared with PEOPLE how the Invictus Games played a crucial role in his healing process. “Even just now when I looked out, everybody’s got a smile on their face. Every competitor that’s out there, they’re smiling. And they’re from all different countries,” he said. “I’m so grateful that Prince Harry put this together for us veterans to come together and use this as part of our healing process. And we are, we’re healing, because everybody is smiling.”

Personal Testimonials from the Invictus Games
Garrett Kuwada’s wife, Joey, emphasized the transformative impact of the Invictus Games on her husband’s life, stating that the event has been “lifesaving.” She explained how the Games gave her husband purpose and a reason to strive, highlighting the importance of such events for veterans who often feel their lives lack positive experiences post-service.

“This is lifesaving to a lot of people,” Joey Kuwada said. “This is something that veterans, from our story, Garrett and I’s story, it saved his life. He looks forward to competing, it gives him purpose, it gives him something to strive for. He’s retired and his only job is to be an athlete, to be a competitor. And so for something like this to have for these injured servicemen and women, it’s needed.”

Mike Bourgeois, a member of Canada’s archery team at the Invictus Games in 2022, spoke about the positive energy Prince Harry brings to the Games. He noted how the Duke of Sussex “gets recharged” by being among fellow veterans and service members, emphasizing the shared experiences and mutual understanding that foster a supportive community.

“He’s with his people now; he’s with the soldiers and the veterans, and that’s shared experiences,” Bourgeois said. “And so you can just watch him get filled up as the day goes on. In the moment, he cares about each and every individual athlete and their families.”

A Broader Impact
Invictus Games Team Canada alumni Major Joanna Labonté expressed her appreciation for the attention Prince Harry and Meghan Markle bring to the event. She noted that their involvement makes veterans feel recognized and valued for their service and sacrifices.

“It really makes us feel like our commitment and our sacrifice to our country matters,” she said.

Prince Harry himself has often spoken about the profound influence the Invictus community has had on him. In a 2022 interview with PEOPLE, he credited the Games as a significant part of his personal growth and understanding of service.

“Creating the Games involved listening to military and veteran families — and hearing directly from them about their lives — and that offered so much perspective,” Prince Harry said. “It’s been a lesson in serving a purpose greater than ourselves, and the benefit that comes from that extends to both the individual and the community. I truly believe that we are at our best when we’re in service to others, and Invictus is all about upholding that value.”

Conclusion
While Mary Tillman’s critique of Prince Harry receiving the Pat Tillman Award for Service has sparked a broader conversation about privilege and recognition, the significant impact of the Invictus Games on the veteran community is undeniable. The controversy underscores the complexities of awarding such honors and the varied perspectives on what constitutes deserving service.

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Source: https://people.com/prince-harry-espn-award-draws-backlash-pat-tillman-mother-8671883