During a recent airing of “The Pat McAfee Show,” Pat McAfee voiced his strong disapproval of ESPN’s decision to honor Prince Harry with the Pat Tillman Award for Service at the upcoming ESPYs.
McAfee, known for his direct and unfiltered commentary, criticized his own network for what he perceives as a controversial choice, accusing ESPN of attempting to provoke outrage by selecting the Duke of Sussex for an award named after the revered NFL safety and Army Ranger, Pat Tillman.
“The decision has been made to give the Pat Tillman Award to Prince Harry,” McAfee stated, expressing confusion over the choice given that Harry has distanced himself from his royal title. “Isn’t he the guy who said not to call him Prince anymore? Why do the ESPYs pull this kind of stuff?”
The debate intensified on the show when a member of McAfee’s team, Boston Connor, described the decision as “asinine,” arguing that the award should have been given to an American. McAfee himself called it “the most embarrassing thing I’ve seen in my entire life,” highlighting a sentiment of national pride and the expectation that such an honor should perhaps go to someone more directly connected to the United States.
Co-host AJ Hawk then sought clarification about the award’s typical recipients, pondering whether it was specifically meant for those within the sports community. McAfee explained that it traditionally honors someone deeply committed to sports and service, further complicating their views on Prince Harry’s suitability as this year’s recipient.
McAfee’s dissatisfaction stemmed from a belief that the choice of Prince Harry would not resonate well with the general public, especially American sports fans and those who cherish Pat Tillman’s legacy. “When you do something like this, you know the immediate reaction from humans, from sports fans, and from people with common sense is going to be negative,” McAfee argued. He speculated whether Prince Harry was aware of the potential backlash, questioning the wisdom of accepting such a polarizing award.
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Amidst his criticism, McAfee failed to acknowledge Prince Harry’s significant contributions to the veteran community, notably his founding of the Invictus Games in 2014. These games are a Paralympic-style, multi-sport event designed specifically for wounded or injured service personnel and veterans, reflecting a commitment to service through sports.
Harry, who severed formal ties with the royal family in 2020, served in the British Armed Forces for ten years, which included two tours in Afghanistan as an Apache helicopter pilot and a forward air controller.
His military background and dedication to veterans’ welfare were key factors in ESPN’s decision to honor him at the July 11 award ceremony.
“This one is for our entire service community,” Prince Harry remarked upon learning of the honor, dedicating the award to the broader veteran community.
ESPN also announced other special honorees for the evening, including Steve Gleason receiving the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage and Dawn Staley being honored with the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance.
The Pat Tillman Award for Service was established in 2014 to recognize individuals in the sports world who exemplify Tillman’s legacy through their service to others.
Past recipients include figures like Jake Wood, Kirstie Ennis, Kim Clavel, Marcus Rashford, Gretchen Evans, and the Buffalo Bills Training Staff, showcasing a diverse array of contributions to society and the sporting community.
