Prince Harry honoured with Pat Tillman Award for Service at 2024 ESPY Awards
Prince Harry Photograph:( Instagram )
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During his acceptance speech, Prince Harry made special mention of Pat's mother, Mary Tillman, who had previously expressed concerns about him receiving the award.
During his acceptance speech, Prince Harry made special mention of Pat's mother, Mary Tillman, who had previously expressed concerns about him receiving the award.
Prince Harry was honoured with the Pat Tillman Award for Service at the ESPY Awards 2024 on Thursday (Jul 11). The award is named after NFL player Pat Tillman who joined the military after 9/11 and tragically died in Afghanistan in 2004. It was presented to Harry for his work with the Invictus Games, a sports event for wounded, injured, and sick service personnel and veterans.
As he accepted the award, Prince Harry, 39, thanked the Pat Tillman Foundation and Pat’s family. He made special mention of Pat's mother, Mary Tillman, who had previously expressed concerns about him receiving the award.
"I’d like to begin by expressing my deepest gratitude to everyone at the Pat Tillman Foundation, led by Marie Tillman Shenton, who I’m so honoured is here tonight. I’d also like to acknowledge the Tillman family, especially Mrs. Mary Tillman, Pat’s mother,” Harry said. “Her advocacy for Pat’s legacy is deeply personal and one that I respect.”
Drawing on his own experience, Harry spoke about the enduring bond between a mother and son, recalling his own mother, Princess Diana, who passed away when he was 12. He emphasized that the award was not just for him but for the Invictus Games community.
"The truth is, I stand here not as Prince Harry, Pat Tillman Award recipient, but rather a voice on behalf of the Invictus Games Foundation and the thousands of veterans and service personnel from over 20 nations who have made the Invictus Games a reality," he said. "This award belongs to them, not to me."
"This year, we are celebrating 10 years of witnessing life-changing impact and healing through sport. And while so much progress has been made since those first games, the world outside seems to be in an even more precarious state. We live in an age marked by polarization and division. Conflicts rage around the globe. Anger and resentment towards those who are different seem to pervade societies everywhere," he added.
Harry’s wife, Meghan Markle, watched proudly from the audience as Invictus Games athletes shared their stories of how the Games have impacted their lives. The event was hosted by Serena Williams, a close friend of the couple, who introduced the athletes with great admiration.
