Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, is no stranger to controversy, and he found himself in the thick of another public-relations pickle before he strode to the stage at the ESPY Awards in Los Angeles on Thursday night.
But in accepting the Pat Tillman Award for Service at ESPN’s annual made-for-TV gala, Harry graciously acknowledged his critics — including Mr. Tillman’s mother, Mary — while citing the work that his organization, the Invictus Games, had done since its inception in 2014.
“The truth is, I stand here not as Prince Harry, Pat Tillman Award recipient,” Harry said during his speech, “but rather a voice on behalf of the Invictus Games Foundation and the thousands of veterans and service personnel from over 20 nations who have made the Invictus Games a reality. This award belongs to them, not to me.”
The awards show, which had its broadcast delayed by President Biden’s news conference, featured stars from the sports world and beyond in their formal best. There were emotional moments, like a speech from the former Alabama football coach Nick Saban, who won the Icon Award; powerful ones, like Dawn Staley, the women’s basketball coach at South Carolina, highlighting the pay gap in men’s and women’s sports; and some laugh-out-loud moments when presenters took swipes at people like Harrison Butker and Bronny James.
But much of the focus going into the event was how things would play out with Harry winning an award that has been a part of the ESPYs since 2014 and is named for Pat Tillman, a defensive back for the Arizona Cardinals who gave up his lucrative N.F.L. career to enlist in the U.S. Army after the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, and who was killed by friendly fire in Afghanistan in 2004.
In June, ESPN announced that Harry would be receiving this year’s award “in honor of his tireless work in making a positive impact for the veteran community through the power of sport.” Harry, who served two tours in Afghanistan while spending 10 years in the British Armed Forces, founded the Invictus Games as an international, multisport event for wounded, injured and sick veterans and service members.
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Almost immediately, however, there was backlash to Harry’s selection. Among the critics was Corporal Tillman’s mother, Mary Tillman, who recently told the Daily Mail that she was “shocked as to why they would select such a controversial and divisive individual to receive the award.”
She added: “There are recipients that are far more fitting. There are individuals 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.”
As a petition to rescind the award gained traction, amassing more than 70,000 signatures, ESPN released a statement defending its choice, which it said had been made with the support of the Pat Tillman Foundation.
“While we understand not everyone will agree with all honorees selected for any award, the Invictus Games Foundation does incredible work and ESPN believe this is a cause worth celebrating,” a spokesman said.
Serena Williams, the retired tennis star and host of this year’s awards show, seemed keenly aware of the delicate dynamics involved in Harry’s selection for an award that, in past years, had been anything but contentious or provocative.
Ms. Williams acknowledged Harry and his wife, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in her opening remarks. “Let’s give it up for them,” she said, before alluding, in a lighthearted way, to the controversy that frequently surrounds them and seemed to have followed the couple to the Dolby Theater.
“But please, Harry and Meghan, try not to breathe too much tonight,” Ms. Williams said, “because this is my night, and I don’t want to be overshadowed by the accusations that you guys are taking up too much oxygen.”
Earlier this year, Ms. Williams, who is longtime friends with the Duchess of Sussex, was among the spectators when Harry played polo at a charitable event in South Florida. (The match also was attended by a production crew from Netflix, which has a multiyear production deal with Harry and Meghan.)
Ms. Williams handled her hosting duties on Thursday with aplomb. Perhaps her greatest feat was wearing eight outfits over the course of the evening, according to an unofficial tally kept by Harper’s Bazaar.
Harry, whose dark suit was understated compared to many of the event’s guests, was presented the award by Elizabeth Marks, Israel Del Toro and Kirstie Ennis, all past winners and veterans who have competed in the Invictus Games. At the start of his speech, he expressed his “deepest gratitude” to Corporal Tillman’s widow, Marie Tillman Shenton, who was in attendance, before acknowledging Mr. Tillman’s mother.
“Her advocacy for Pat’s legacy is deeply personal and one that I respect,” said Harry, whose mother, Diana, the Princess of Wales, died in a car crash in 1997. “The bond between a mother and son is eternal and transcends even the greatest losses.”
He went on to describe the Invictus Games as a unifying force.
“We live in an age marked by polarization and division,” he said. “Conflicts rage around the globe. Anger and resentment toward those who are different seem to pervade societies everywhere. Our community challenges that. Our community proves that unity is not just possible but formidable. The beauty of the Invictus Games lies in how it brings people together, no matter one’s nationality, background or personal struggles.”
