Prince Harry Branded ‘Worthy’ of ESPY Award After Moving Speech

The Duke of Sussex attended Thursday night time’s ESPYs to obtain the award regardless of dealing with backlash from many who felt he was undeserving of the consideration.

It was beforehand reported that he was surprised by the destructive consideration the announcement acquired within the media and even thought-about declining the award.

Nevertheless, the Duke of Sussex, Prince Harry’s shifting speech on the award ceremony has been met with applause from royal followers.

On the 2024 ESPYs, Prince Harry grew to become the seventh particular person to be honored with the Pat Tillman Award. This prestigious honor acknowledges people who, just like the late NFL participant and soldier Pat Tillman, devoted themselves to service and positively impacting the world.

Harry was awarded for his Invictus Video games competitors and his army service, together with two excursions in Afghanistan.

On Thursday, the duke gave a really emotional speech, humbly dedicating the award to those that have made his worldwide multi-sport occasion attainable.

“I stand right here not as Prince Harry, Pat Tillman Award recipient, however somewhat a voice on behalf of the Invictus Video games Basis and the hundreds of veterans and repair personnel from over 20 nations who’ve made the Invictus Video games a actuality,” Harry advised the attendees. “This award belongs to them, to not me.”

Harry additionally addressed Pat Tillman’s mom, who criticized his choice for the award, throughout his speech.

He stated, “I might additionally wish to acknowledge the Tillman household, particularly Mrs. Mary Tillman, Pat’s mom. Her advocacy for Pat’s legacy is deeply private and one which I respect.”

“The bond between a mom and son is everlasting and transcends even the best losses,” he added, alluding to the unhappy lack of his late mom, Princess Diana.

The duke’s speech appeared to the touch the hearts of many, together with some who had reservations about him receiving the Pat Tillman Award for Service.

Over on X (previously Twitter), a viral tweet highlighted how impactful the prince’s phrases had been in his speech and why Harry was “worthy” of the celebrated award.

Robert Griffin III, a former quarterback, wrote: “Prince Harry’s acceptance speech for the Patt Tillman Award for Service is price 5 min of your time. There is no such thing as a doubt that he’s worthy of this award and little question that what he’s doing is altering lives for the higher.”

“At first, I did not like the truth that he was getting this award. That was an important speech! It’s totally inspiring. He is an efficient, sincere man who grew up in a really chaotic atmosphere. I am glad he acquired it now. I did not know he was concerned within the Invictus video games. Nice stuff,” a second individual stated.

One other account wrote, “I agree it is a well-deserved award. Because the founder and patron of the Invictus Video games, Prince Harry embodies the unconquered spirit of the Invictus household on their shared journey.”

“In the event you did not watch Prince Harry final night time for the Pat Tillman Award, please Google it immediately! Spectacular and heartwarming. We want extra individuals on this planet who’ve the identical compassion for others as Prince Harry does!” a fourth individual noted.

Previous to the award ceremony, Prince Harry confronted intense backlash following ESPN’s announcement that he was the subsequent recipient.

A few of the public outcry got here from Tillman’s mom, Mary, who stated she was “shocked as to why they would choose such a controversial and divisive particular person to obtain the award.”

She additionally claimed that they had been “recipients which might be way more becoming” and that ESPN ought to have picked a recipient “who’s by no means been within the highlight.”

In the meantime, ESPN Analyst Pat McAfee claimed it was the “most embarrassing factor I’ve seen in my total life.”

In response to the destructive traction, ESPN issued an announcement defending its determination to honor Harry. They claimed Harry’s Invictus Video games Basis has helped promote “therapeutic by the facility of sport for army service members and veterans all over the world.

The outlet added, “Whereas we perceive not everybody will agree with all honorees chosen for any award, The Invictus Video games Basis does unimaginable work, and ESPN believes it is a trigger price celebrating.”

The duke, who is not any stranger to scrutiny, was surprised by the backlash. He reportedly thought-about declining the celebrated honor to keep away from upsetting anybody.

“He’d by no means need to trigger any upset,” former royal butler Grant Harrold advised the New York Put up. “If he thinks that it’s going to trigger upset, then it’s fairly seemingly that he may decline the award ..as a result of he’d by no means need to trigger any upset, and it might have an effect on him listening to in regards to the backlash.”

With Harry ultimately showing to just accept the award, it is clear that he selected to face the backlash head-on.

Thankfully, his spouse, Meghan Markle, was by his facet, providing her assist. Moreover, Invictus athletes Marine Sgt. Kirstie Ennis, Military Sgt. Elizabeth Marks, and US Air Pressure Grasp Sgt. Israel Del Toro Jr. had been additionally current, cheering him on.

The duke was honored for being a “humanitarian, psychological wellness advocate, and environmentalist” attributable to his work with African Parks, Travalyst, WellChild, and The Archewell Basis.

On the time, he additionally acquired backlash after the announcement, with many, together with the previous head of the Royal Navy, Lord Alan West, expressing their disappointment with the organizers.