Prince Harry ‘stunned’ by backlash to his Pat Tillman ESPY Award nod: ‘Bitter pill to swallow’
Prince Harry is reportedly “stunned” by the backlash he received after being named the recipient of the Pat Tillman Award for Service at the 2024 ESPYs.
The Duke of Sussex, 39, is set to be honored at the glitzy July 11 ceremony for his military experience and work on the Invictus Games.
The announcement raised many eyebrows, including those of the late hero’s mom, Mary Tillman, who criticized ESPN and claimed she was never consulted about the decision.
A source claims the fallout has been a “bitter pill to swallow” for the Sussexes.
“Harry’s legacy on Invictus, the things he has achieved, that’s his real passion,” a source told the Telegraph.
The insider added that while Harry is no stranger to being under scrutiny, he particularly found discourse surrounding his military background upsetting.
“This is the space in which he truly feels at home, it is something he deeply cares about. The reaction certainly took the shine off the award.”
The Post has reached out to Harry’s reps for comment.
ESPN has since defended its decision to honor Harry, saying his work on the Invictus Games “is a cause worth celebrating.”
The prestige award is handed out to individuals who have made significant contributions in the world, which echo the legacy of the former NFL player and US Army Ranger, who enlisted after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
Tillman, a former safety for the Arizona Cardinals, served in Iraq and then Afghanistan before he was killed by friendly fire in 2004, with the soldier posthumously awarded the Silver Star and Purple Heart for his service.
The source noted that the situation is eerily similar to when Harry — who served in the British armed forces for 10 years, including two tours of duty in Afghanistan as an Apache helicopter pilot and a forward air controller — was recognized as a aviator.
In January, the father of two received the Living Legends of Aviation award, handed to him by host John Travolta.
The younger son of King Charles was subsequently inducted into the Living Legends of Aviation Hall of Fame.
The decision was later slammed by Admiral Lord West, former head of the Royal Navy, who simply said that Harry “is not a living legend.”
The Sussexes have since been accused of “collecting trophies” to “buy the public’s respect.”
