Prince Harry accepts Pat Tillman Award for Provider at 2024 ESPYs

Prince Harry accepted the Pat Tillman Award for Provider at the ESPY Awards in Los Angeles on Thursday.

The Duke of Sussex won the award for the popularity of his work with the Invictus Games, a Paralympic-style competition he founded for injured carrier individuals.

Harry said, “I stand here not as Prince Harry, the recipient of the Pat Tillman Award, but as a voice on behalf of the Invictus Games Foundation and the thousands of veterans and service personnel from more than 20 countries who have made the Invictus Games a reality.” ” , “This award is theirs, not mine.”

“That said, it is very important for me to highlight these colleagues, athletes and their wonderful families for their accomplishments, their spirit and their courage at every opportunity. Especially on nights like this in front of people like you,” he said. “Moments like this help us reach those who need Invictus most and prevent more than 20 veterans from taking their own lives every day in this country alone.”

Harry went straight to what Invictus is up to this week.

“We are celebrating ten years of seeing life-changing impact and healing through sport,” he said. “Although so much progress has been made since those first Games, the world outside seems to be in an even more uncertain state. We live in an age of polarization and division. Conflict is rife around the world, there is anger and resentment toward those who are It appears that diversity is prevalent in society everywhere.”

“Our community challenges this,” he said. “Our community proves that unity is not only possible, but formidable. The beauty of the Invictus Games lies in how it brings people together no matter one’s nationality, background or personal struggle. “

“It is a collectivity built on courage and mutual respect, where athletes discover again and again the common virtue of their humanity,” he said.

Ahead of the ESPY Awards, ESPN, which airs the ESPYs, said Harry was one of those honored for his actions in using his platform to “change the world and uplift the marginalized and oppressed.” To make it more inclusive for communities, demonstrating incredible “resilience, positivity and perseverance.”

Harry, who served in the British Army for 10 years, hosted the first Invictus Games in London in 2014. The games have since taken the field in Orlando, Toronto, Sydney, Düsseldorf and The Hague.

During his decade on the troop carrier, which ended in 2015, Harry rose to the rank of Apache helicopter commander. Known in the Army as Captain Harry Wells, he was deployed to Afghanistan twice, from 2007 to 2008 and again from 2012 to 2013.

In 2012, the British Ministry of Defense named Harry the best front-seat pilot or co-pilot gunner out of more than 20 of his fellow Apache helicopter pilots.

Before taking up the post, Harry was honored by Det Pat Tillman Award recipient Sergeant Kirsty Ennis, Sergeant Top Quality Elizabeth Marks and Sergeant Israel del Toro.

When he accepted his award he asked them to remain with him and thanked the Tillman nation, especially Pat Tillman’s mother, for the honor.

“His advocacy for Pat’s legacy is deeply personal and I respect that,” Harry said. “The bond between mother and son is eternal and transcends even the greatest loss.”

The 2024 ESPYs, which honor the best athletes and sports personalities, were hosted by tennis legend Serena Williams, who is known to be a friend of both Harry and his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex.

The pair were clearly present in the audience as they applauded Ciara’s stellar performance at the start of the show. “But please, Harry and Meghan, try not to breathe too much tonight. Because it’s my night. And I don’t want to do that,” Williams joked during her opening monologue, giving the couple a shout-out. Be surrounded by allegations that you guys are taking in too much oxygen.”

Williams officiated at the couple’s nuptials in 2018, and reportedly co-hosted a baby shower for Meghan at Fresh York Town in 2019.

Meghan has supported Williams in the courtroom, traveling from London to New York in 2019 to watch Williams play in the US event finals.

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