The Pat Tillman ESPY Award, established by the Tillman Foundation, honors individuals who have made significant contributions to serving others in a manner that reflects the legacy of Pat Tillman, a former NFL player and U.S. Army Ranger. Mary Tillman, Pat’s mother, has raised concerns about ESPN’s decision to honor Prince Harry as this year’s recipient of the award.
The selection process for the Pat Tillman ESPY Award is overseen by the Tillman Foundation, which was founded by Marie Tillman Shenton, widow of Pat Tillman. While Mary is not involved in the foundation or its operations, she believes that Prince Harry does not fit the criteria for the award and should not be honored.
However, ESPN stands by its decision to give Prince Harry the award, citing his work with The Invictus Games Foundation as evidence of his commitment to promoting healing through sports for military service members and veterans globally. The training staff of the Buffalo Bills were awarded last year for their heroic actions in saving a life.
ESPN believes in recognizing and celebrating causes that make a positive impact on society and sees Prince Harry’s work as an inspiration to many. While opinions may differ on who should receive this prestigious award, ESPN remains committed to using its platform to highlight these important initiatives and raise awareness about important issues affecting our communities today.