Prince Harry receives major boost as Serena Williams stands by him over awards row
Serena Williams will host the ESPY Awards this evening at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood where Prince Harry will receive the Pat Tillman Award for his work with the Invictus Games.
Prince Harry has been given a major boost as Meghan Markle's friend Serena Williams is standing by him amid the row over whether he should receive the Pat Tillman Award for his work with the Invictus Games.
The tennis star, 42, has been confirmed to host the ESPY Awards this evening at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood signalling that the Duke of Sussex, 39, will attend the event to accept the controversial award.
The award is named after the late Pat Tillman, a professional American football player, who gave up sport to join the armed forces in the wake of 9/11.
The gong is traditionally given to individuals with a “strong connection to sports” who have served their country. Tillman was killed in Afghanistan, where Harry also served, in 2004.
However, Tillman’s mother, Mary, believes that there are more deserving recipients of the ESPY Award than Harry, who she described as “controversial and divisive”.
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Mary told the Daily Mail recently that she believes there are several “more fitting” recipients.
“I am shocked as to why they would select such a controversial and divisive individual to receive the award,” she said.
“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.”
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Her opinion was echoed by many from the military community and those who signed a Change.org petition, which urged ESPN to “rethink” its decision to give Harry the award.
However, the sports channel defended its decision in a statement and praised the “incredible” work Harry has done with the Invictus Games, which celebrated its 10th anniversary in May.
“While we understand not everyone will agree with all honourees selected for any award, The Invictus Games Foundation does incredible work and ESPN believes this is a cause worth celebrating,” read the statement.