Prince Harry to be honoured with ESPN’s Pat Tillman Award

Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, will receive the 2024 Pat Tillman Award at this year’s Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly (ESPY) Awards.

The event, hosted by tennis legend Serena Williams, will air on July 11 on ABC.

The Pat Tillman Award is presented by ESPN to individuals with a strong connection to sports who have served others in ways that reflect the legacy of former NFL player and U.S. Army Ranger, Pat Tillman. Tillman, a safety for the Arizona Cardinals, enlisted in the U.S. Army after the 9/11 attacks and was killed in Afghanistan in 2004.

The award typically honours non-household names, including veterans Jake Wood in 2018 and Gretchen Evans in 2022. However, it has also been given to athletes like English soccer star Marcus Rashford in 2021 and boxer Kim Clavel in 2020. Last year’s recipients were the Buffalo Bills training staff for their lifesaving efforts.

According to ESPN, Prince Harry is being recognised for his service in the British Armed Forces, including two tours in Afghanistan, and for founding The Invictus Games. The Games provide a platform for wounded, injured, and sick servicemen and women, both active-duty and veterans, supporting them in their recovery. The Invictus Games celebrated their 10th anniversary in May.