Prince Harry 'Stunned' By Negative Reaction To ESPY Award, Describes It As A 'Bitter Pill to Swallow:' Report
The Duke of Sussex is reportedly disheartened by the criticism he's received after being named the 2024 ESPY Pat Tillman Award recipient.
A petition, which has garnered over 68,000 signatures, was created for the award to be revoked.
Grant Harrold, a former royal butler, claimed that Harry is considering declining the award.
"He'd never want to cause any upset," Harrold told 'The Post.' "If he thinks that it is going to cause upset, then it is quite likely that he could decline the award... because it would affect him hearing about the backlash."
He continued: "It's interesting that Harry's nod has ruffled feathers. From my point of view, it's a bit confusing."
Prince Harry is set to receive the Pat Tillman Award for Service later this week in recognition of his efforts with the Invictus Games and his military tenure.
Pat Tillman, a former football star who gave up a lucrative NFL contract to enlist in the US Army after 9/11, lost his life at the age of 27 due to friendly fire while serving in Afghanistan two decades ago.
His mother, Mary Tillman, was unaware that Harry, 39, would be honored with an award named after her son. She questions why he is being recognized with this honor, which is typically bestowed upon athletes who have positively impacted others through their sports endeavors.
"I am shocked as to why they would select such a controversial and divisive individual to receive the award," she stated, as reported by the 'Daily Mail.' "There are recipients that are far more fitting. There are individuals working in the veteran community that are doing tremendous things to assist veterans. These individuals do not have the money, resources, connections or privilege that Prince Harry has. I feel that those types of individuals should be recognised."
The ESPY Awards, held annually in Los Angeles, are scheduled for July 11. One of the event's highlights is the presentation of the Pat Tillman Award during the glamorous red carpet affair. Traditionally, this award honors unsung heroes, including the Buffalo Bills training staff in 2023 who revived Damar Hamlin after he went into cardiac arrest on the field.
According to 'Tatler,' Harry is reportedly "stunned" at the negative reaction and is finding it a "bitter pill to swallow."
