Prince Harry's Honour Under Threat as Petition Reaches Milestone
Prince Harry has encountered a significant setback in the US, as a petition to prevent him from receiving an award has garnered 50,000 signatures.
The petition gained traction following criticism from Mary, the mother of Pat Tillman, a fallen US war hero. Mary expressed her dismay over the decision to award the honor, named after her son, to Prince Harry.
Pat Tillman left his successful NFL career to enlist as an Army Ranger in 2002. He served in Iraq and Afghanistan, where he was tragically killed by friendly fire in 2004. For his bravery, Tillman was awarded the Silver Star and Purple Heart.
Mary voiced her concerns, stating, "I am shocked as to why they would select such a controversial and divisive individual to receive the award. There are recipients far more fitting, individuals in the veteran community doing tremendous work to assist veterans without the money, resources, connections, or privilege that Prince Harry has. I feel those individuals should be recognized."
The petition, which calls for ESPN to reconsider their decision, argues that Prince Harry's involvement in various controversies makes him unsuitable for such an honor. It has rapidly gained support, amassing over 50,000 signatures within days. The petition states, "Awarding this honor to someone who does not reflect the award’s intent diminishes its value and disrespects Tillman’s memory."
In response, ESPN, with support from the Tillman Foundation, emphasized that they are honoring Prince Harry specifically for the work of The Invictus Games Foundation, which promotes healing through sport for military service members and veterans globally. "While we understand not everyone will agree with all honorees selected for any award, The Invictus Games Foundation does incredible work, and ESPN believes this is a cause worth celebrating," the organization stated.
Despite his numerous honors and awards, it appears Prince Harry has yet to win over the hearts of many Americans, who feel he is undeserving of this particular accolade.
