Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, received the Pat Tillman Award for Service at ESPN's 32nd annual ceremony on Thursday, amidst a storm of controversy and criticism. Despite the backlash, including disapproval from Mary Tillman, mother of the late Pat Tillman, Harry addressed the audience with dignity and grace.
Mary Tillman had publicly expressed her disappointment with the decision to honor Prince Harry, calling him "controversial and divisive" and suggesting that "someone else could be more deserving." This sentiment was echoed by various critics, questioning the suitability of the royal as the award recipient. However, Grant Harrold, a former royal butler for King Charles, shed light on Harry’s character, describing him as an "extremely private person" who does not wish to cause any upset.
"From what I remember, Harry was always an extremely private person, so I'm not sure how he'll feel about that, but I can imagine his way of coping with the attention is to carry on as normal," Harrold shared with OK! magazine. He added, "He'd never want to cause any upset. If he thinks that it is going to cause upset, then it is quite likely that he could decline the award . . . because he'd never want to cause any upset and it would affect him hearing about the backlash."
Contrary to Harrold’s speculation, Prince Harry’s team confirmed that he had "no plans on turning down the Pat Tillman Award for Service," dismissing previous reports about his reaction to the backlash as "purely speculative and without merit." Harrold believes that Harry and Meghan Markle are likely ignoring the criticism and continuing with their lives. "I'm sure they'll be drowning out the outside noise by continuing with their normal and everyday life and trying not to turn on the television, or read the papers as much," he noted.
Markle joined Prince Harry at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles for the event, which was hosted by their friend Serena Williams. Williams lightheartedly acknowledged their presence, saying, "Prince Harry and Meghan are here. Let's give it up for them. But please, Harry and Meghan, try not to breathe too much tonight. Because this is my night, and I don't want to be overshadowed by the accusations that you guys are taking up too much oxygen, okay?"
In his acceptance speech, Prince Harry addressed the honor with grace and humility. He specifically recognized Mary Tillman, saying, "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." He also expressed gratitude to Pat's widow, Marie Tillman Shenton, before discussing his involvement in establishing The Invictus Games Foundation, which supports veterans who are wounded or injured.
Harry, who served two tours in Afghanistan, emphasized his appreciation for the sacrifices made by service members. "This award belongs to them, not to me," he stated, earning a standing ovation from the audience.
Despite the criticism, past recipients of the Pat Tillman Award voiced their support for Harry. U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Israel Del Toro Jr., who received the honor in 2017, described Harry as a deserving recipient. ESPN also stood by its decision, issuing a statement affirming that Prince Harry and his foundation contribute significantly to important causes, which they consider worthy of recognition and celebration.
The backlash did not overshadow the event, as Harry’s speech highlighted his commitment to service and the well-being of veterans. Pat Tillman, a former NFL player, left his sports career to join the U.S. Army following the September 11 attacks and was killed in Afghanistan in 2004. The Invictus Games, founded by Harry in 2014, have become a global platform for wounded, injured, and sick service personnel to compete in various sports, promoting rehabilitation and support.
Harrold’s remarks shed light on Harry’s private nature and aversion to causing upset, providing context to his dignified response to the controversy. As the Duke and Duchess of Sussex navigate public scrutiny, their dedication to their causes remains evident. The ESPYs ceremony underscored the importance of recognizing contributions to important causes, reaffirming the significance of the Pat Tillman Award.