Prince Harry's American Backlash: Duke Nominated for U.S. Service Award, Critics Question Eligibility

Prince Harry, fifth in line to the British throne, has been nominated for the Pat Tillman Award for Service at the ESPY Awards, which has some critics enraged at the Duke's nod.

Former NFL player Pat McAfee contended that nominating Prince Harry does not align with the award's original purpose, which is meant for individuals deeply involved in sports and who have served others in a manner reflective of Pat Tillman's legacy as a former NFL player and U.S. Army Ranger killed in action in Afghanistan.

The ex-punter turned sports commentator also raised concerns about the selection process surrounding the nomination.

"A lot of conversation about Pat Tillman's name," McAfee stated. "American hero... Now there’s an award named after him, as there should be in the sports world because that is somebody who is the definition of selfless."

He then pointedly continued: "It's going to Prince Harry, who I don't even think is a prince anymore."

McAfee's co-host, Boston Connor, quickly replied that he thought the nod was "probably the most embarrassing thing I've seen in my entire life."

"When you do something like this, you know the immediate reaction from humans and sports fans and like people with common sense and brains is going to be like: 'Hey, don't be putting our f------ guy with that guy [Harry],'" McAfee responded.

"I don't know anything about him except for the South Park episode and what I've learned from The Crown," he further revealed. "But did his people know like 'you publicly put me up for this award. You're just asking basically every person that considers themselves American and saying 'this is b-------.'"

The analyst's fellow team member, Ty Schmitt, openly criticized the ESPYS, dismissing the awards as "a gimmick." He pointed out that, in his view, the nomination process had disregarded numerous deserving American military members. This reflected his discontent with how the awards handled recognition within the military community.

"There are probably hundreds if not thousands of people who they could have found who could have benefitted from this award," Schmitt commented. "But instead let's give it to Prince Harry."

McAfee wryly concluded: "How about it's like ESPY for royal family member who doesn't want to be called 'Royal family member' who loves sports."

This follows earlier reports of Meghan Markle skipping Prince Harry's "Living Legend of Aviation" awards ceremony on January 19, as a source shared that she was caring for one of their sick children. The royal rebel prince received his award from actor John Travolta, and reportedly did not mention King Charles III and Kate, Princess of Wales' emerging health problems at the time.

Daily Express reported on McAfee's remarks.