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Prince Harry delivered a very poignant statement at the ESPY Awards. Speaking to Mary Tillman, the mother of the football player after whom the Pat Tillman Award for Service was named, the Duke of Sussex discussed the unique relationship between a mother and son on July 11 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.
"We are very passionate about preserving Pat's legacy, and I think it's important," Harry, who attended the event with his spouse Meghan Markle, stated. "The bond between a mother and son is eternal and transcends even the greatest losses."
The 39-year-old went on, "I stand here not as a Prince Harry or Pat Tillman award recipient, but rather as a voice on behalf of the Invictus Games Foundation and the thousands of veterans and service personnel from over 20 nations who have made the Invictus Games a reality." Princess Diana's mother passed away in a 1997 vehicle accident. "This award belongs to them, not to me," Harry continued."This award belongs to them, not to me," Harry continued.
An individual "with a strong connection to sports who has served others in a way that echoes the legacy" of the late NFL star and U.S. Army Ranger Pat Tillman is chosen by the ESPYS each year.
When Harry—who shares children Archie Harrison, 5, and Lilibet Diana, 3, with Meghan—was announced as the recipient in June, ESPN considered the ways in which the member of the royal family has positively impacted the veteran community.
The network said, "Prince Harry founded The Invictus Games Foundation after serving for 10 years in the British Armed Forces, including two tours of duty in Afghanistan as a forward air controller and Apache helicopter pilot, continuing his service by creating an international platform to support wounded, injured, and sick servicemen and women—both active-duty and veterans—who are navigating both physical and invisible injuries."
Along with Harry, Steve Gleason, a former NFL safety, will receive the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage, and Dawn Staley will receive the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance during the 2024 ESPYS, which will be hosted by Serena Williams.
"We are honored to honor these three extraordinary people," ESPN's Kate Jackson stated in a news statement from June. "We are thrilled to celebrate these honorees at the 2024 ESPYS because they have used their platforms to change the world and make it more inclusive for marginalized and suffering communities. They have shown incredible resilience, positivity, and perseverance."
