LOS ANGELES — ESPN is standing by its decision to honor Prince Harry with its Pat Tillman Award for Service at next week’s ESPYs after the choice was publicly criticized by Tillman’s mother, network personality Pat McAfee and others.
“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,” the network said in a statement emailed to The Los Angeles Times on Monday.
“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.”
Last week, ESPN announced the honorees for some of its special awards ahead of the 2024 ESPYs, which will be held July 11 at the Dolby Theatre. Harry was tabbed for the award named after the former Arizona Cardinal who left the NFL and enlisted in the Army shortly after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the U.S. Tillman was 27 when he was killed by friendly fire during a tour of duty in Afghanistan on April 22, 2004.
In a news release Thursday, ESPN said the award is “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.” Last…
