Following criticism, Prince Harry speaks to Pat Tillman’s mother at the ESPYs.

(VOR News) – Prince Harry received the Pat Tillman Award for Service at the 2024 ESPY Awards on Thursday. The mother of the fallen Army Ranger, who had been upset with ESPN for honoring the royal, was the next person he spoke with.

The mother of Tillman, Mary Tillman, had earlier voiced her “shock” at ESPN’s choice of Prince Harry as an honoree, saying that other recipients who work in the veteran community would have been more appropriate.

British soldier Prince Harry operated helicopters in two Afghan operations.

He founded the Invictus Games in 2014, a paralympic-style multisport championship for veterans and injured or crippled service members.

The Duke of Sussex commended Marie, the widow of Mary Tillman, and thanked her for coming to the event.

Firstly, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to everyone at the Pat Tillman Foundation, especially Marie Tillman Shenton, who I am so honored to have here tonight. Also, I would like to extend my gratitude to the Tillman family, especially to Pat’s mother, Mrs. Mary Tillman. The reason I like her is that she supports Pat’s legacy in a very personal way.

It was then that Prince Harry was reminded of his own mother, Princess Diana, who died in a car accident in 1997. Prince Harry stated that a mother and son’s bond is eternal and transcends even the most tragic losses.

When ESPN announced in June that Tillman would receive this year’s Pat Tillman Award for Service, her mother expressed her displeasure with the royal’s choice.

Mary Tillman said, “I am astounded,” expressing her surprise at the choice to honor such a contentious and divisive person on The DailyMail. “The number of suitable receivers is much higher. There are veterans who are providing outstanding support to other veterans.

“These individuals are devoid of Prince Harry’s privileges, connections, wealth, and resources.” She said, “I believe individuals of that nature should be recognized.”

In keeping with Tillman’s legacy, an individual who uses their participation in athletics to improve the lives of others is given the Pat Tillman Award for Service each year.

The former Arizona Cardinal Tillman was killed in Afghanistan in 2004 by friendly fire while fighting for his country. After turning down a multiyear contract and more than $3 million to join the Army following the September 11 terrorist attacks, he became well-known.

Last year, Damar Hamlin suffered a heart attack during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals, and the Buffalo Bills training staff was recognized for saving his life.

Since the award’s establishment in 2014, the Pat Tillman Foundation—with which Mary Tillman is not associated—has been in charge of choosing the winners. According to FOX News, Mary has never before been contacted or made aware of the beneficiaries.

Prince Harry says the Pat Tillman Award belongs to them, not me.”

Harry said he was accepting the Pat Tillman Award “not as Prince Harry, but rather as 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,” as his wife Meghan looked on from the audience.

The award should go to them and not me,” he argued. Although I believe it is imperative that I recognize the courage, energy, and accomplishments of these athletes, their allies, and their families whenever I have the opportunity, particularly during such situations where individuals such as you are present.”

It may be possible to establish connections with veterans who need Invictus most by participating in events like these, thus lowering the number of veterans who commit suicide every day.

After serving as an Apache helicopter co-pilot and gunner in Afghanistan, Prince Harry launched the Invictus Games in 2014 to provide handicapped veterans and active military members with the opportunity to compete in Paralympic-style sports.

As the Invictus Games are celebrating their tenth anniversary this year, Prince Harry notes that the games have allowed him to witness “life-changing impact and healing through sport” in the last ten years. As a result, the crowd applauded.

The world outside appears to be in a more precarious state even though so much progress has been made since those first games, he added. We are living in a period of division and polarization.

World conflicts continue to exist. Every society seems to harbor a great deal of hostility and resentment toward people who are different from itself.

In our community, this is a challenge. “Our community proves that unity is not just possible, but formidable.”

SOURCE: LN

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