ESPN: Pat Tillman Foundation Supports Prince Harry Tribute

Mary Tillman, Pat Tillman’s mother, has He criticized ESPN’s casting of Prince Harry As the Pat Tillman Award winner at this year’s ESPY Awards. However, ESPN says it has the support of the Tillman Foundation, which was founded by Tillman’s widow.

“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 of promoting healing through the power of sport for military service members and veterans around the world. While we recognize that not everyone will agree with all of the honorees selected for any award, the Invictus Games Foundation does incredible work and ESPN believes this is a cause worth celebrating,” ESPN said in a statement.

Mary Tillman Shenton, who was married to Pat Tillman when he was killed in Afghanistan, is the president and co-founder of the Pat Tillman Foundation. Tillman’s mother, Mary Tillman, is not involved in the Tillman Foundation and had no role in selecting the Pat Tillman Award.

The Pat Tillman ESPY Award is given to “an individual with a strong connection to sports who has served others in a way that emulates the legacy of former NFL player and U.S. Army Ranger, Pat Tillman.” Last year, the Pat Tillman Award went to the Buffalo Bills coaching staff for saving the life of Damar Hamlin.

Pat Tillman was a Cardinals safety who left the NFL to join the military less than a year after the September 11 attacks. He died in Afghanistan in 2004 at the age of 27.