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ESPN has responded to criticism from Pat Tillman’s mother after the broadcast network announced that they would be giving an award named after the late football player-turned-Army-serviceman to Prince Harry.

“ESPN, with the support of the Tillman Foundation, is honoring Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, specifically for the work of The Invictus Games Foundation as it celebrates its 10th year promoting healing through the power of sport for military service members and veterans around the world,” ESPN told The New York Post.

PRINCE HARRY

Prince Harry is being criticized for receiving the Pat Tillman Award in the upcoming ESPN ESPYs. (Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

Mary Tillman Wants The Award Somehwere Else

Though ESPN has the support of the Tillman Foundation, it certainly doesn’t have the backing of Tillman’s mother, who specifically called them out after it was announced that Prince Harry would receive the award named after her son and given to those that make significant contributions to the world.

“I am shocked as to why they would select such a controversial and divisive individual to receive the award,” Mary Tillman told The Daily Mail. “There are recipients that are far more fitting… There are individuals working in the veteran community that are doing tremendous things to assist veterans.”

The Tillman Award has typically been given to less-than-famous people in the past, whether it’s former military members, or last year’s recipients, the Buffalo Bills medical training staff that helped save Damar Hamlin’s life. Receiving the award can also help smaller causes gain recognition and exposure – something that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle don’t need. 

ESPN Getting Criticized For Choosing Prince Harry

As news broke over the weekend of the Duke of Sussex getting the award, social media went nuts. Even ESPN’s own on-air host Pat McAfee ripped the company, asking “Why does the ESPYs do this sh*t? When you do something like this, you know the immediate reaction from humans and from sports fans and from people with common sense and brains, is gonna be like ‘Hey, don’t be putting our f’n guy with that guy.”

In their statement, ESPN brushed off the criticism as simply, “You can’t please everyone.”

“While we understand not everyone will agree with all honorees selected for any award, The Invictus Games Foundation does incredible work and ESPN believes this is a cause worth celebrating.”

There’s no doubt that the Invictus Games – of which ESPN is a broadcast partner – are obviously important and other Veteran’s groups should strive to do as much as they can for former military members. The criticism revolves around the fact that it’s Prince Harry – who isn’t even American, getting the award named after a U.S. soldier, as well as the fact that Harry is already everywhere that comes across as pandering.

That said, several non-Americans have received the award. English soccer player Marcus Rashford was honored in 2021 and Canadian boxer Kim Clavel won the award in 2020.