**Pat McAfee Slams ESPYs for Prince Harry Nomination: A Disservice to True Heroes**

In a fiery segment on his ESPN show, Pat McAfee unleashed a wave of criticism directed at the ESPYs for nominating Prince Harry for the prestigious Pat Tillman Award for service.

The award, which honors individuals with strong ties to sports who have made significant contributions to others, has sparked outrage among fans and commentators alike, particularly regarding the absence of American nominees.

McAfee kicked off the discussion by paying homage to Pat Tillman, the former NFL player and U.S. Army Ranger, whose legacy is synonymous with heroism and selflessness.

“There's been a lot of talk about Pat Tillman lately,” he remarked, underscoring the importance of recognizing such a figure in the sports community.

However, his tone shifted dramatically as he zeroed in on Prince Harry's nomination, humorously questioning the validity of the choice.

“It's going to Prince Harry, who I don't even think is a prince anymore,” he quipped, clearly unimpressed.

The former NFL punter didn't shy away from expressing his bewilderment at the decision-making process behind the awards.

“Why does the ESPY do this?”

he demanded, reflecting a sentiment likely shared by many viewers.

His co-host, Boston Conner, chimed in, labeling the nomination as “probably the most embarrassing thing I've ever seen in my entire life.”

Together, they highlighted a growing frustration over what they perceive as a disconnect between the awards and the values they are supposed to represent.

McAfee raised concerns about the thoroughness of the ESPY awards committee, suggesting that their selection process may lack adequate research.

He pointed out that the nominees are chosen through global online fan voting, which raises questions about how candidates are vetted.

“When you do something like this, you know the immediate reaction from humans and sports fans is going to be like, ‘Hey, don't be putting our effing guy with that guy,'” he asserted, anticipating a backlash from the audience.

While acknowledging Prince Harry's contributions, such as founding the Invictus Games and serving in the British Army, McAfee questioned whether the royal was prepared for the controversy his nomination would provoke.

“Did his people know?

You publicly put me up for this award, you're just asking basically every person that considers themselves American to say, ‘This is bull,'” he pondered, suggesting that the decision was ill-considered.

Reflecting on his own experience with the ESPYs, McAfee recalled his opening monologue from the 2023 ceremony, hinting that the event's organizers might not prioritize the interests of sports fans.

“We should celebrate sports,” he argued, expressing disappointment that the ESPYs appeared to be provoking outrage rather than fostering appreciation for athletic achievements.

He pointed to a troubling trend of contentious decisions over the past decade, implying that a lack of coherent leadership may be to blame.

“I think it's just one person being put in charge of this entire thing,” he lamented, calling for a more thoughtful approach to nominations that truly honor the spirit of the award.

Ty Schmidt, another member of McAfee's team, echoed these sentiments, branding the ESPYs as a gimmick.

“It's like you couldn't find an active U.S. military member or someone who can't serve anymore because of something they did while serving?”

he questioned.

Schmidt emphasized that there were countless deserving candidates who could have been recognized instead of Prince Harry.

In a moment of sarcasm, McAfee suggested creating a new award tailored specifically for the Duke of Sussex.

“How about it's like the ESPY for royal family members who don't want to be called royal family members who love sports?”