Prince Harry delivered a poignant address at the 2024 ESPY Awards, showcasing a blend of royal grace and personal vulnerability. The Duke of Sussex, accepting the Pat Tillman Award for Service at Los Angeles' Dolby Theatre on July 11, touched upon the profound connection between mothers and sons while acknowledging Mary Tillman, mother of the award's namesake.
“Our advocacy for Pat's legacy is deeply personal and one that I respect,” Harry, accompanied by his wife Meghan Markle, said. “The bond between a mother and son is eternal and transcends even the greatest losses.”
The 39-year-old royal, who experienced the tragic loss of his mother, Princess Diana, in a 1997 automobile accident, continued, “I stand here not as Prince Harry, Pat Tillman award recipient, but rather 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.”
Harry humbly added, “This award belongs to them, not to me.”
The ESPYS annually selects an individual “with a strong connection to sports who has served others in a way that echoes the legacy” of Pat Tillman, the late NFL player and U.S. Army Ranger.
In June, ESPN announced Harry—father to Archie Harrison, 5, and Lilibet Diana, 3, with Meghan—as the honoree, highlighting his significant contributions to the veteran community.
“After serving for 10 years in the British Armed Forces, including two tours of duty in Afghanistan as a forward air controller and Apache helicopter pilot, Prince Harry founded The Invictus Games
Foundation,” the network elucidated, “continuing his service by creating an international platform to support wounded, injured, and sick servicemen and women–both active-duty and veterans–who are navigating both physical and invisible injuries.”
The 2024 ESPYS, hosted by tennis legend Serena Williams, also recognized former NFL safety Steve Gleason with the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage and basketball coach Dawn Staley with the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance.
ESPN's Kate Jackson expressed in a June press release, “It's our privilege to recognize three incredible individuals. These honorees have used their platforms to change the world and make it more inclusive for marginalized and suffering communities, demonstrating incredible resilience, positivity and perseverance, and we're thrilled to celebrate them at The 2024 ESPYS.”
This star-studded event not only celebrated athletic prowess but also highlighted the transformative power of sports in addressing societal issues and fostering resilience in the face of adversity.
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