{"id":2288271,"date":"2024-07-02T19:22:00","date_gmt":"2024-07-02T23:22:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/espn-responds-to-backlash-after-selecting-prince-harry-as-pat-tillman-award-winner\/"},"modified":"2024-07-02T19:23:16","modified_gmt":"2024-07-02T23:23:16","slug":"espn-responds-to-backlash-after-selecting-prince-harry-as-pat-tillman-award-winner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/espn-responds-to-backlash-after-selecting-prince-harry-as-pat-tillman-award-winner\/","title":{"rendered":"ESPN Responds to Backlash After Selecting Prince Harry as &#8216;Pat Tillman Award&#8217; Winner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">26<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fespn-responds-to-backlash-after-selecting-prince-harry-as-pat-tillman-award-winner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2288271&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The article discusses the intense backlash \u200bESPN faced for choosing Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, for the Pat Tillman Award at the ESPY&#8217;s. Many \u2062criticized \u2064the decision,\u200d including Tillman&#8217;s mother, questioning why a controversial \u200dindividual like Harry\u200c was chosen\u200c over more fitting recipients. \u2062ESPN defended its choice, citing the work of The Invictus Games Foundation and the positive impact it has on\u2063 military service members and veterans.\u2063 Despite the controversy, the award will\u200b be presented at the\u200b ESPY Awards on July\u200d 11th.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><br \/>\n<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC \"-\/\/W3C\/\/DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional\/\/EN\" \"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/REC-html40\/loose.dtd\"> <?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><html><body><\/p>\n<header> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/sports\/\">  Sports <\/a>    <span> <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/author\/maustin\/\">  <\/a> <\/p>\n<p> <span>   By <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/author\/maustin\/%20\"><span>Michael Austin<\/span><\/a> <\/span> <span>   July 2, 2024 at 1:56pm <\/span> <\/span>  <\/header>\n<section>\n<p>ESPN is finally responding to the intense backlash the network has faced in recent days.<\/p>\n<p>The backlash came from its choice for the Pat Tillman Award at this year\u2019s ESPY\u2019s \u2014 none other than royal family member Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex.<\/p>\n<p>Tillman, who played safety for the NFL\u2019s Arizona Cardinals, enlisted in the Army after the 9\/11 terrorist attacks and was killed while serving in Afghanistan.<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/former-wisconsin-badger-to-receive-pat-tillman-award-for-service\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Pat Tillman Award for Service<\/a> is meant to honor \u201cTillman\u2019s legacy and someone who has used their connection to the sports world to positively impact the lives of others.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>On Saturday, his mother, Mary Tillman, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/pat-tillmans-mother-livid-prince-harry-wins-dead-sons-award-shocked\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">expressed her disapproval<\/a> of ESPN\u2019s choice of Harry.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI am shocked as to why they would select such a controversial and divisive individual to receive the award,\u201d she said, according to the U.K.\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dailymail.co.uk\/news\/article-13584099\/Prince-Harry-award-honour-war-hero.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Daily Mail<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThere are recipients that are far more fitting,\u201d Tillman said. \u201cThere are individuals working in the veteran community that are doing tremendous things to assist veterans.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThese individuals do not have the money, resources, connections or privilege that Prince Harry has. I feel that those types of individuals should be recognized.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>On Monday, ESPN responded to her and other critics of its choice.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cESPN, 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,\u201d the network told <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hollywoodreporter.com\/news\/general-news\/espn-responds-criticism-prince-harry-espy-award-honor-1235936824\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Hollywood Reporter<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhile 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,\u201d it said.<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.invictusgamesfoundation.org\/aims-and-origins\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Invictus Games Foundation<\/a> \u201coffers a recovery pathway for international wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women\u201d through sporting events and programs.<\/p>\n<p>Harry, who served in the British military in Iraq and Afghanistan, launched the organization in 2014 after returning from his deployment.<\/p>\n<p>Tillman\u2019s mother wasn\u2019t the only one who voiced displeasure with ESPN\u2019s choice of the royal.<\/p>\n<p>Many commenters on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/college-coach-quits-after-being-accused-of-making-microaggressive-comments-about-black-cheerleaders-hairstyle\/\" title=\"College Coach Quits After Being Accused Of Making \u2018Microaggressive Comments\u2019 About Black Cheerleader\u2019s Hairstyle\">social media criticized<\/a> the selection.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe Pat Tillman Award has been tarnished by giving it to Prince Harry, just like the [Nobel] Prize when they gave it to Obama,\u201d one user wrote.<\/p>\n<blockquote data-conversation=\"none\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">The Pat Tillman Award has been tarnished by giving it to Prince Harry, just like the Noble Prize when they gave it to Obama.<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 General\u2122\ufe0f (@TheGeneral_0) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/TheGeneral_0\/status\/1808204770894926267?\">July 2, 2024<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>\u201c[W]hy should anyone be shocked at what ESPN does, they are totally a WOKE company,\u201d another said.<\/p>\n<blockquote data-conversation=\"none\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">why should anyone be shocked at what ESPN does, they are totally a WOKE company<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 DANNY (@DanValle41) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/DanValle41\/status\/1808205744354865611?\">July 2, 2024<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>\u201cESPN synonymous with woke. Disgusting and becoming more irrelevant every day as evident by the collapse of their viewer subscriptions,\u201d a third person said.<\/p>\n<blockquote data-conversation=\"none\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">ESPN synonymous with woke. Disgusting and becoming more irrelevant every day as evident by the collapse of their viewer subscriptions.<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Mark IT (@MarkCor28) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/MarkCor28\/status\/1808205378393370858?\">July 2, 2024<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>The Pat Tillman Award will be handed out at the ESPY Awards on July 11.<\/p>\n<hr>\n<div>\n<p><b><i>A Note from Our Deputy Managing Editor:<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<p><i><span>I heard a chilling comment the other day: \u201cWe don\u2019t even know if an election will be held in 2024.\u201d <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span>That wasn\u2019t said by a conspiracy theorist or a doomsday prophet. No, former U.S. national security advisor Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn said that to the founder of The Western Journal, Floyd Brown.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span>Gen. Flynn\u2019s warning means that the 2024 election is the most important election for every single living American. If we lose this one to the wealthy elites who hate us, hate God, and hate what America stands for, we can only assume that 248 years of American history and the values we hold dear to our hearts may soon vanish.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span>The end game is here, and as Benjamin Franklin said, \u201cWe must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately.\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span>All of this means that <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/subscribe\/?utm_source=site&#038;utm_medium=westernjournalism&#038;utm_campaign=authorpitch\"><i><span>without you<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span>, it\u2019s over. We have the platform, the journalists, and the experience to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/desantis-rises-as-he-promises-hes-only-begun-to-fight-put-on-full-armor-of-god-to-fight-the-left\/\" title=\"DeSantis Rises As He Promises He\u2019s \u2018Only Begun To Fight\u2019: \u2018Put On Full Armor Of God\u2019 To Fight The Left\">fight back hard<\/a>, but Big Tech is strangling us through advertising blacklists, shadow bans, and algorithms. Did you know that we\u2019ve been blacklisted by 90% of advertisers? Without direct support from you, our readers, we can\u2019t continue the fight.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span>Can we count on <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/subscribe\/?utm_source=site&#038;utm_medium=westernjournalism&#038;utm_campaign=authorpitch\"><i><span>your support<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span>? It may not seem like much, but a <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/subscribe\/?utm_source=site&#038;utm_medium=westernjournalism&#038;utm_campaign=authorpitch\"><i><span>Western Journal Membership<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span>  can make all the difference in the world because when you support us directly, you cut Big Tech out of the picture. They lose control. <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span>A monthly Western Journal Membership costs less than one coffee and breakfast sandwich each month, and it gets you access to ALL of our content \u2014 news, commentary, and premium articles. You\u2019ll experience a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/making-a-dent-liability-fears-are-driving-providers-to-drop-gender-affirming-care-for-kids-even-where-its-legal\/\" title=\"Liability fears force providers to abandon &#039;Gender-Affirming Care&#039; for kids, despite legality.\">radically reduced number<\/a> of ads, and most importantly you will be vitally supporting the fight for America\u2019s soul in 2024.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span>We are literally counting on you because without our members, The Western Journal would cease to exist. Will you <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/subscribe\/?utm_source=site&#038;utm_medium=westernjournalism&#038;utm_campaign=authorpitch\"><i><span>join us<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span>  in the fight? <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span>Sincerely,<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span>Josh Manning<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span>Deputy Managing Editor<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span>The Western Journal<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p><\/body><\/html><br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>ESPN faced backlash for choosing Prince Harry for the Pat Tillman Award at the ESPY&#8217;s, but defended their decision by highlighting his work with The Invictus Games Foundation. Critics, including Tillman&#8217;s mother, expressed disapproval of the choice, but ESPN stood by their decision. The award will be presented at the ESPY Awards on July 11<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2093,"featured_media":2288272,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Pat-Harry.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[4265,5851,33112,33095,4115],"class_list":["post-2288271","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-backlash","tag-espn","tag-pat-tillman-award","tag-prince-harry","tag-response"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Pat-Harry.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2288271","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2093"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2288271"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2288271\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2288272"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2288271"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2288271"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2288271"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}