Americans are calling on Prince Harry to turn down the ESPN Pat Tillman award, arguing the honor should go to ‘one of our heroes’ instead.
More than 68,000 people have signed a petition launched on June 27 asking the sports network to ‘Rethink Awarding the Pat Tillman Award to Prince Harry.’
PETITION AGAINST PRINCE HARRY
The petition was created by New Jersey resident Patti Mickel, who said ‘the Pat Tillman award should be representative of his values and should honor someone who, like Tillman, has shown unwavering dedication to their squad and country.’
Mickel added: ‘Prince Harry, while a former military officer, has been involved in controversies that call into question his suitability to receive an honor of this magnitude.’
ABOUT TILLMAN
Tillman was hailed in the US after giving up his lucrative career with the Arizona Cardinals to enlist as an Army Ranger. He served in Iraq and then Afghanistan, where he was killed by friendly fire in 2004 – when he was 27.
Harry, 39, is due to be honored with the Pat Tillman Award for Service for his Invictus Games work at the glitzy ESPY Awards in Los Angeles on July 11.
WHO IS THE HOST?
The 2024 ESPYS will be hosted by Serena Williams – a close friend of Meghan Markle, Prince Harry’s wife.
WHAT AMERICANS THINK
Many of the petition signers felt so strongly against giving Prince Harry the award that they left video comments expressing their rage about ESPN’s decision to honor the royal.
A signer named Shawnia held a sign that read ‘We want privacy!’ – referencing a South Park episode making fun of Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle.
She said: ‘We all know you’re trying to fix your PR, Harry. We’ll give you your privacy.’
Fellow petition signer Rebecca said: ‘Pat Tillman gave up a luxurious life in the NFL to fight for this country. Harry gave up a life of service for his own gain. He is not on the same level.’
A signer named pan added: ‘Pat Tillman was an American hero. Harry isn’t even an American citizen. Pat Tillman gave up millions to fight for our country. Harry could only make money by smearing his family. Him accepting this award is only to make himself more prevalent.’
Another signer, named Cherie, said: ‘I graduated from the same high school as Pat Tillman, and I am very much against Harry get the award based on everything that Pat Tillman stood for and represents for this country, I find it appalling.’
