Prince Harry made a surprise appearance at the 20th annual Tillman Honors gala in Chicago on November 6, continuing his support for the Pat Tillman Foundation and its mission to honor military service members and veterans. The Duke of Sussex, who was awarded the Pat Tillman Award for Service at the 2024 ESPY Awards in July, attended the event alongside key figures from the foundation, including Marie Tillman Shenton, widow of Pat Tillman.
The gala was a celebration of the work done by the Pat Tillman Foundation, which provides scholarships to military veterans who demonstrate leadership and a commitment to serving others. Prince Harry, who has long been an advocate for veterans, participated in the evening’s events and sat next to Marie Tillman during the ceremony. The foundation’s Tillman Scholars were the focal point of the evening, with a keynote address delivered by Bradley Snyder, a Paralympic gold medalist and 2020 Tillman Scholar. Snyder’s inspiring story of overcoming injury to become a top athlete served as a powerful reminder of the resilience and strength cultivated through military service.
Before the gala, Harry took part in a leadership development session with several Tillman Scholars, giving them the opportunity to interact with him and other prominent figures. The session was a surprise to the 40 scholars in attendance, and footage of their reactions was later shared by the Pat Tillman Foundation. The leadership session was led by Dr. Katherine Steele, CEO of the foundation, along with retired NFL quarterback Jake Plummer and motivational speaker Israel Del Toro. The focus of the session was to inspire and guide the scholars in their personal and professional journeys.
Harry’s involvement with the Pat Tillman Foundation has grown significantly since he became the Founding Patron of the Invictus Games, an international sporting event for wounded, injured, and sick servicemen and women. As a veteran of the British Army, having served for ten years, Harry has been a vocal advocate for the veteran community. His commitment to supporting military personnel and their families aligns with the values of the Pat Tillman Foundation, which honors the legacy of Pat Tillman, an NFL player who left his career to enlist in the military following the September 11 attacks. Pat Tillman was killed in action in Afghanistan in 2004.
In addition to his support for the foundation, Harry has faced some criticism surrounding his award. Mary Tillman, Pat’s mother, expressed her surprise and disapproval after learning that Harry would receive the prestigious Pat Tillman Award for Service. She questioned why someone with such a “controversial” public image had been selected for the honor. In response, ESPN and the Pat Tillman Foundation explained that the award was presented in recognition of Harry’s work with the Invictus Games, which has been a platform for helping veterans heal and recover through sport. The foundation reiterated that Harry’s involvement with the military and his advocacy for veterans were the primary reasons for his recognition.
Despite the controversy, Harry’s presence at the gala reinforced his ongoing dedication to supporting veterans and honoring the sacrifices made by those who serve. Through his involvement with the Tillman Foundation and the Invictus Games, Prince Harry continues to make a significant impact on the lives of service members around the world. His appearance at the event was a reminder of the power of sport, leadership, and community in helping veterans rebuild their lives after service.
