The Duke of Sussex, Prince Harry, is being recognized with a prestigious award for his tireless dedication to improving the lives of the veteran community. ESPN has announced that Prince Harry will be the recipient of the 2024 Pat Tillman Award for Service at this year's ESPY Awards, a gala event hosted by tennis icon Serena Williams on July 11th on ABC.
The Tillman Award honors individuals with a profound connection to sports who have emulated the spirit of service and sacrifice exemplified by the late NFL player and U.S. Army Ranger, Pat Tillman. Tillman, a safety for the Arizona Cardinals, enlisted in the Army after the 9/11 attacks and tragically lost his life in a friendly fire incident in Afghanistan in 2004.
While the Tillman Award has often gone to unsung heroes like veterans Jake Wood in 2018 and Gretchen Evans in 2022, it has also recognized athletes like English soccer star Marcus Rashford in 2021 and boxer Kim Clavel in 2020. Last year, the Buffalo Bills' training staff were honored for their heroic efforts to save the life of safety Damar Hamlin on the field.
Prince Harry's award is a testament to his service in the British Armed Forces, including two tours in Afghanistan, and his remarkable initiative in founding The Invictus Games. These Games have provided an international platform to support wounded, injured, and sick servicemen and women, both active-duty and veterans, who are navigating the challenges of both physical and invisible injuries.
This year's ESPY Awards will also honor two other remarkable individuals: former NFL safety Steve Gleason, who will receive the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage for his battle with ALS, and Dawn Staley, the head coach of the University of South Carolina women's basketball team, a member of the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame and the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame, who will be awarded the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance.
"It is a privilege to celebrate the achievements of Steve Gleason, Dawn Staley, and Prince Harry," said Kate Jackson, VP of production for ESPN. "These individuals have leveraged their platforms to make a positive impact in the world, promoting inclusivity and supporting marginalized communities. Their resilience, positivity, and perseverance are truly inspiring, and we are thrilled to honor them at The 2024 ESPYS."
Among the nominees for this year's awards are stellar talents like Caitlin Clark, Shohei Ohtani, Patrick Mahomes, and Simone Biles, all poised to shine on the ESPY stage.
