Award for Prince Harry
US broadcaster rejects criticism of award winner
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Following criticism of an award for Prince Harry’s work with the Invictus Games Foundation, broadcaster ESPN justifies its decision.
At this year’s ESPY Awards, Prince Harry (39) is set to receive the “Pat Tillman Award for Service” on July 11 in Los Angeles. However, the late athlete’s mother does not believe the award is appropriate for the royal. The US sports channel ESPN has now commented on the matter.
“A cause worth celebrating”
“ESPN, with the support of the Tillman Foundation, is honoring Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex, specifically for the work of the Invictus Games Foundation, which celebrates its tenth anniversary this year and promotes healing for military personnel and veterans around the world through the power of sport,” quoted the “New York Post” from a statement from the broadcaster. “While we understand not everyone will agree with all of the award winners, the Invictus Games Foundation does incredible work and ESPN believes this is a cause worth celebrating.”
The ESPY Awards, or ESPYS, are annual awards that honor sporting achievements. At the end of June, the broadcaster announced that the prince would be honored for his work with the Invictus Games Foundation, which is responsible for the Invictus Games founded by Harry.
According to ESPN, the “Pat Tillman Award for Service” is “an award given to an individual with a strong connection to sports who has served others in a way that reflects the legacy of former NFL player and U.S. Army Ranger Pat Tillman.” After the September 11 attacks, he joined the military. Tillman was killed by gunfire from fellow soldiers during a deployment in Afghanistan in 2004.
Tillman’s mother criticizes
A little later, Tillman’s mother Mary spoke out and criticized the decision. “I am shocked that such a controversial and divisive person was chosen,” quoted the British “Daily Mail”. In her opinion, there are people who are “far more suitable” for the award. There are people in the veterans community who do great work but do not have the resources or connections of a Prince Harry. Petition on the website “change.org”that ESPN should reconsider its decision, nearly 45,000 signatures had been collected by the time this article was published.