Prince Harry faced backlash for accepting the Pat Tillman Award for Service at the 2024 ESPY Awards, but he used the opportunity to honour the Pat Tillman Foundation and pay tribute to the late NFL player’s mother, Mary Tillman. Despite criticism from critics and even Tillman’s mother herself, Prince Harry highlighted the importance of the Invictus Games Foundation, which he founded to support wounded veterans. In his emotional acceptance speech, he emphasized the eternal bond between a mother and son, drawing parallels to his own experience with the loss of Princess Diana. By focusing on the achievements of the Invictus Games athletes and their families, Prince Harry made it clear that the award belonged to them, not him. Despite controversy surrounding his selection for the award, ESPN stood by its decision, recognizing the foundation’s work in promoting healing through sports for military service members and veterans.