Prince Harry Receives Pat Tillman Award at ESPYs Amid Plane Message Mystery

Prince Harry highlighted the enduring bond between a mother and son, stating it “transcends even the greatest losses” as he was honored at this year’s ESPY Awards in the US.

The Duke of Sussex received the Pat Tillman Award for Service, presented by ESPN to individuals in the sports world who have significantly impacted others’ lives.

A banner flown overhead reading ‘Prince Harry: Investigate Mum’s Death’ (Picture: Matt Baron/BEI/Shutterstock)

In his speech, he acknowledged the family of former NFL player and US Army Ranger Pat Tillman, especially Mary Tillman, Pat’s mother, who had reportedly criticized his selection for the award.

Harry said, “Her advocacy for Pat’s legacy is deeply personal, and one that I respect. The bond between a mother and son is eternal and transcends even the greatest losses.”

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, attend the 2024 ESPY Awards (Picture: Getty)

This event coincides with the approaching anniversary of the death of his mother, Diana, Princess of Wales

The 2024 ESPY (Excellence in Sport Performance Yearly) ceremony was hosted by tennis champion Serena Williams, a friend of the Duchess of Sussex, who attended to support her husband.

During her opening monologue, Williams humorously remarked, “Please Harry and Meghan, try not to breathe too much tonight, because this is my night, and I don’t want to be overshadowed by the accusations that you guys are taking up too much oxygen.”

Before the ceremony, a small aircraft with a mysterious message for Harry flew over the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. The message read: “Prince Harry: Investigate Mum’s Death.”

Harry emphasized the unity and resilience of the Invictus Games community, saying, “Our community proves that unity is not just possible, but formidable. The beauty of the Invictus Games lies in how it brings people together, no matter one’s nationality, background, or personal struggles. It is a collective, built from courage and mutual respect, where athletes discover time and time again the common denominator of their humanity.”

Meghan with Serena Williams at Dolby Theatre (Picture: Getty)

He praised the athletes, “Having survived the crucible of armed combat, and forged through the challenge to rebuild bodies and minds impacted by conflict, they form a family. They exemplify the very best in all of us.”

Harry visited the UK in May for a special event at St Paul’s Cathedral to mark 10 years of the Invictus Games. He served on two frontline tours in Afghanistan and spent 10 years in the British armed forces. However, he was stripped of his military patronages by his grandmother, the late Queen, in 2021, a year after stepping down as a senior working royal.

The duke declared, “I stand here not as Prince Harry, but 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. This award belongs to them, not to me. That said, it is of great importance to me to highlight these allies, athletes, and their amazing families, for their achievements, their spirit, and their courage at every opportunity, especially on nights like this, in front of people like you.”

He concluded his speech with a promise on behalf of the foundation, “No matter the road ahead, we are here for you. We will leave no one behind.”

Past recipients of the Pat Tillman Award include Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford, who campaigned for the Government to provide free meals to vulnerable children in England during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex during the ceremony (Picture: X)

Prince Harry receives the Pat Tillman Award For Service (Picture: AP)

Other honorees at the event included Dawn Staley and Steve Gleason. Staley, an Olympic gold medalist and University of South Carolina women’s basketball head coach, received the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance for her resilience on the court, support for women’s sports and equality, and cancer research campaigning.

Meghan Markle, center, and Prince Harry, arrive at the ESPY awards (Picture: AP)

Gleason, a former NFL player diagnosed with ALS, received the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage for his Team Gleason charity and advocacy for the Steve Gleason Act, ensuring access to speech generation communication technology in the US.

Sola Adeniji

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