Prince Harry's nomination for the prestigious Pat Tillman Award for Service has sparked outrage in the US, with many Americans believing the Duke of Sussex does not deserve the honor.
The nomination has faced criticism, particularly from sports analyst and former NFL punter Pat McAfee, who lambasted the ESPY Awards for their decision. The award, named after former NFL player and US Army Ranger Pat Tillman, who was killed in action in Afghanistan, is intended for someone with a strong connection to sports and a legacy of service reflecting Tillman's.
McAfee argued that the nomination of the British prince does not align with the award's intended purpose and questioned the selection process. "American hero ... Now there’s an award named after him, as there should be in the sports world because that is somebody who is the definition of selfless. It's going to Prince Harry, who I don't even think is a prince anymore," he said, referencing Harry's departure from royal duties.
McAfee's co-host, Boston Connor, labeled Prince Harry's nomination as "probably the most embarrassing thing I've seen in my entire life" and questioned whether the ESPY Awards' committee had thoroughly researched its candidates.
Winners of the ESPY Awards are chosen through global online fan voting from candidates selected by the ESPY Select Nominating Committee. However, McAfee criticized the process, suggesting it lacked due diligence and alienated many American sports fans.
McAfee acknowledged Harry's contributions, such as founding the Invictus Games and serving in the British Army, but suggested these achievements might not align with the spirit of the award. "I don't know anything about him except for the South Park episode and what I've learned from The Crown," he said.
Ty Schmitt, another member of McAfee's on-air team, called the awards "a gimmick" and alleged that numerous deserving American military members were overlooked in favor of Harry. "There are probably hundreds, if not thousands of people who they could have found who could have benefited from this award. But instead, let's give it to Prince Harry," he said.
