Prince Harry is due to be given an ESPY award, sparking backlash around an aspect of his work that he has repeatedly used to appeal to the American public.
ESPN has defended its decision to hand the Pat Tillman Award for Service to Harry in recognition of his work with the Invictus Games, following criticism over the move. Tillman was a football star with the Arizona Cardinals who gave up the NFL to serve his country in Afghanistan following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, before being killed in a friendly fire incident in April 2004.
His mother, Mary Tillman, suggested Harry was too controversial a figure to get the award, which she felt should have gone to someone less privileged.
The Backlash Against Prince Harry
"I am shocked as to why they would select such a controversial and divisive individual to receive the award," she told the Mail. "There are recipients that are far more fitting."
She said these include people who "do not have the money, resources, connections or privilege that Prince Harry has."
Sports analyst Pat McAfee also condemned the move during his ESPN show: "Now there's an award named after [Tillman], as there should be in the sports world because that is somebody who is the definition of selfless. It's going to Prince Harry. Who I don't even think is a prince anymore. See, why does the ESPYs do this s***?"
"I don't know anything about [Harry] except for the South Park episode and then what I've learned from The Crown and everything like that," he continued.
"Did his people know, 'you publicly putting me up for this award you're just asking every person that considers themselves American to say this is bull****,' especially at a sports award."
And regular Prince Harry critic Piers Morgan joined the fray, using his New York Post column to write: "The notion that he in any way 'echoes the legacy' of Pat Tillman is a sick joke. Only Tillman's own family aren't laughing."
Morgan wrote that Tillman's "inner voice led him to become a patriotic hero. Harry's inner voice led him to become a traitor. Pat Tillman will be turning in his grave at this dishonoring of his name."
Meanwhile, an online petition urging ESPN to rethink the decision passed 44,000 signatures and read: "Prince Harry, while a former military officer, has been involved in controversies that call into question his suitability to receive an honor of this magnitude.
"He has faced accusations of endangering his squadron by publicly revealing military kills. The Prince also allegedly targeted his own father, Prince Charles, during a flyover.
"More recently, his role in the Invictus games, a platform meant to celebrate the resilience and dedication of veterans, has been criticized as self-centered.
"In contrast, Pat Tillman exemplified duty, honor, and sacrifice."
Prince Harry's 'Most Meaningful' Characteristic
The ceremony isn't until July 11, giving Harry plenty of time to mull over whether to attend in person, risking pouring more fuel on the fire, or to keep a low profile in the hope the backlash dies down.
In the meantime, the saga brings controversy to an aspect of Harry's working life in which he has always found valuable currency in America.
Be it his record of service for his country, or the Invictus Games itself, the prince's relationship with the American military and veterans has proven to be common ground for him, dating back long before he moved to California.
The games have given him cause to spend time with President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden, as well as Barack and Michelle Obama, all while he was still a working royal.
Beyond Invictus, Harry's military service was a key aspect of the way he chose to promote himself when his memoir Spare was first announced and the book contains substantial chapters on his time in the forces.
It is peppered with military metaphors, from the paparazzi who photographed Princess Diana as she lay dying—"they were just shooting, shooting, shooting"—to Prince Harry spotting an unfamiliar face the day Meghan first met Queen Elizabeth II, "bogey at twelve o'clock."
And during an interview with Stephen Colbert in January 2023, he was asked about stories in the British press suggesting he had boasted about the number of Taliban he killed during his active service. Colbert said: "Do you think the U.K. press is using this specifically to hurt you in an area that is meaningful to you?"
Harry replied: "Without question. It is not just an area that they know is the most meaningful, but it has defined my life."
To see such a key pillar of his bond with the U.S. public rendered controversial will no doubt be profoundly unwelcome for the prince.
Yet the story has earned unusually widespread coverage in aspects of the U.S. media that do not routinely indulge in the kinds of critical content typical of the British press.
These include The New York Times's The Athletic, NBC's Today, People and other major outlets, which have all given coverage to Mary Tillman's remarks.
It all means a subject matter that would normally be a clean simple win for Harry has suddenly brought controversy to perhaps the most personal aspect of his reputation.
ESPN said in a statement: "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.
"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."
Jack Royston is chief royal correspondent for Newsweek, based in London. You can find him on X (formerly Twitter) at @jack_royston and read his stories on Newsweek's The Royals Facebook page.
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