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There has been some recent controversy surrounding Prince Harry being chosen as the recipient of the 2022 Pat Tillman Award for Service at the ESPY Awards. The Pat Tillman Award is presented each year to recognize an individual's commitment to service and advocacy for military veterans. However, many feel Harry is not deserving of this prestigious award.
While Prince Harry's work with the Invictus Games for injured veterans is commendable, some argue there are many more deserving candidates who could have been honored instead. The biggest criticism comes from Pat Tillman's own mother, Marie Tillman, who believes Harry has not made a significant enough contribution or shown the same level of selfless service and sacrifice that Tillman exemplified.
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Pat Tillman gave up a lucrative NFL career in 2002 to join the US Army in the aftermath of 9/11. Tragically, he lost his life in 2004 at the age of 27 in Afghanistan in a friendly fire incident while deployed. The award was created after his death to honor his tremendous courage and commitment to serving his country. For his mother to publicly voice her disapproval of Prince Harry as the award's recipient carries significant weight.
Others also argue that while the Invictus Games are a valuable event, Harry did not found the organization and is only its public face rather than doing substantive behind-the-scenes work. His contribution pales in comparison to past recipients like military veterans who sustained life-changing injuries in combat. There is a feeling the award has been diminished and is now more about celebrity and publicity rather than true merit.
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ESPN defended choosing Harry by emphasizing his role in establishing the Invictus Games six years ago to use the power of sport to inspire recovery among wounded service members. However, critics counter that this makes it seem like a self-congratulatory award more about promoting Harry rather than an unbiased honor. The fact Serena Williams, a famous tennis star, was selected to host the ceremony further fed the notion it was more about glamour and fame than substance.
While the Invictus Games provide an invaluable opportunity for recovery and rehabilitation for disabled veterans, some feel Harry has turned it into a vehicle to boost his own celebrity status rather than altruistically serving the military community. Even if his intentions are genuine, the award decision indicates a lack of understanding around the deeper meaning and legacy of an honor named for an American war hero like Tillman.
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It also sets a concerning precedent that prestigious awards in the future could go predominantly to rich and famous public figures rather than everyday people who have made quieter yet profoundly meaningful contributions through truly selfless acts of sacrifice and service. Rather than accepting an award many felt he had not earnt, Harry could have shown greater compassion and declined in favor of a more worthy candidate, as the purpose of such accolades should be to uplift others rather than oneself.
While the Invictus Games have helped many veterans on their road to recovery, some of the shine has come off its image due to perceptions of how Harry self-promotes his association with the organization. Attendance has declined in recent years, likely due to “Harry factor” fatigue as his high-profile causes start to feel like brands designed to feed his celebrity rather than community-oriented initiatives. Going forward, Invictus would do well to refocus attention squarely on participants rather than associating so heavily with one single patron.
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The majority of military families and veterans who sacrificed greatly feel this award has been stripped of meaning. Though Harry’s heart may be in the right place, accepting such a controversial honor shows either a lack of judgment or indifference to how his actions might affect others who deserve recognition far more. Both he and ESPN would have been better placing the emphasis where it belongs - on selfless service members rather than self-serving celebrities, no matter how well intentioned. The Pat Tillman Award should seek to inspire through uplifting real heroes, not cause dismay or divide opinion.
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