Prince Harry Left ‘Stunned’ as Afghan Veteran Mother Lashes Out at Him for Being Unworthy of Prestigious ESPY Award

Published 07/07/2024, 10:15 PM EDT

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Following the highly publicized royal rift, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have faced countless extreme criticism at every turn, with their actions and decisions being constantly zoomed in and out by experts. Prince Harry, despite being nominated for one of the prestigious titles, finds himself once again at the center of criticism. The nomination, meant to be an honor, has instead sparked controversy, with some questioning the Prince's worthiness of the award. 

The couple's attempts to forge a new path are seemingly met with unrelenting disapproval which has left the Duke shocked. 

Prince Harry breaks the wall of silence to claims against his upcoming honor

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According to the Daily Mail, the heavy criticism of the decision to award Prince Harry the Pat Tillman Award has left the Dukestunned”. Marie Tillman, the mother of the late Afghan veteran Pat Tillman, expressed her disapproval, stating "There are recipients that are far more fitting" and questioning the selection of a controversial and divisive individual" like Prince Harry.

via Getty

Marie Tillman emphasized that the award should go to individuals working in the veteran community, who are making a significant impact without the privilege and resources that Prince Harry has. She highlighted the dedication and hard work of these unsung heroes, saying "These individuals do not have the money, resources, connections or privilege that Prince Harry has". She feels that those are the types of individuals who should be recognized. 

Her comments have sparked a debate on the selection process and the criteria for receiving the award. But what exactly is the Pat Tillman award?

Is Prince Harry really a good fit for whatever is the award nod?

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The ESPN Pat Tillman Award recognizes individuals who have made a significant impact through service and sacrifice. Established in 2014, the award honors the legacy of Pat Tillman, a former NFL player who left his sports career to serve in the US Army and was killed in action in 2004. Last year's recipient was The Buffalo Bills Training Staff, who won the prestigious nod. Hence, despite the mother’s claim, ESPN took no time to back Duke, staying firm in their decision. 

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Prince Harry, a veteran of two tours in Afghanistan, has been nominated for his charitable work supporting veterans and mental health initiatives. He founded the Invictus Games, a Paralympic-style event for wounded veterans, and has spoken publicly about his struggles with PTSD. The Duke's dedication to helping veterans and his efforts to bring change has been appreciated by former recipients of the award. 

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Prince Harry’s Nod for a Major US Award Gets Slammed as “embarrassing” by a Sports Analyst

What do you think of Prince Harry’s reaction to the entire fiasco? What do you believe would be his reaction while receiving the award? Let us know in The comments below.

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Shraddha Suman

1803 articles

Shraddha Das is a Content Lead and the Sub Group Head at Netflix Junkie. Captivated by the power of storytelling and the written word at a young age, which led her to pursue a career in journalism at the Esteemed KIIT School of Journalism and Mass Communication, in Orissa. She has over 1500 articles to her name.

Edited By: Aliza Siddiqui

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