The Duke of Sussex is set to win an award from ESPN for his work in making a positive impact on the veteran community, the Pat Tillman accolade.
Prince Harry, the public’s favorite rebellious teenage prince, showed the nation he was grown by serving in the military for a decade from the age of 21. Since stepping down from senior royal duties, the public are divided on their opinions of The Duke of Sussex and his wife Meghan Markle. This hasn’t prevented them from being in the spotlight for the causes they support the most, using their publicity to raise awareness to charities. One of these for Harry is Scotty’s Little Soldiers foundation that supports bereaved children whose parents served in the British Armed Forces. The Prince is now set to win an award for his service and dedication presented by ESPN.
Pat Tillman – U.S. Army Ranger and former NFL player
Pat Tillman is an American former NFL player who left his sports career to join the Armed Forces in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks.
Tillman was drafted in the NFL in 1998, picked by the Arizona Cardinals, he had more than a decade of a successful football career. In May 2002, eight months after the September 11 attacks, Tillman turned down a $3.6 million contract from the Cardinals. Instead, he chose to serve his country by enlisting in the U.S. Army.
Tillman was assigned to the 2nd Ranger Battalion in Fort Lewis, Washington, and later deployed to Iraq.
Two years later, Tillman was deployed to Afghanistan where he sadly lost his life. It was claimed that Tillman was shot during an ambush from hostile forces at the side of the road. Investigations later concluded that it was due to mistaken ‘friendly fire’.
In a statement to Congress Tillman’s mother testified, “The deception surrounding this case was an insult to the family, but more importantly, its primary purpose was to deceive a whole nation.”
Harry is awarded for using his platform to ‘change the World’
The Pat Tillman Award is “given to a person with a strong connection to sports who has served others in a way that echoes the legacy of the former NFL player and U.S. Army Ranger, Pat Tillman,” per ESPN.
Though traditionally the award is given to individuals who are not household names, this year it will be presented to Prince Harry. On July 11 Harry will receive the 2024 Pat Tillman Award at the ESPY Awards ceremony, held on ABD, and hosted by tennis star Serena Williams.
The Duke of Sussex has been chosen due to his time serving in the British Armed Forces, which included two tours in Afghanistan. Additionally to this, Harry has founded The Invictus Games, which ESPN states is “creating an international platform to support wounded, injured, and sick servicemen and women — both active-duty and veterans — who are navigating both physical and invisible injuries.”
Celebrating their 10th year in May, The Invictus Games is still going strong.
Sharing center stage with two others, Kate Jackson, VP of production at ESPN, shares “It’s our privilege to recognize three incredible individuals — Steve Gleason, Dawn Staley and Prince Harry.”
“These honorees have used their platforms to change the world and make it more inclusive for marginalized and suffering communities, demonstrating incredible resilience, positivity and perseverance, and we’re thrilled to celebrate them at The 2024 ESPYS.” Kate continued.
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