The NFL fever is officially on with the big night of Super Bowl just around the corner. The Super Bowl commercials have already sparked speculations about the celebrities likely to appear during the game night. Meanwhile, the audiences at the annual NFL Honors event in Las Vegas got an early surprise with Prince Harry on the dais.
This came just a day after Prince Harry’s brief trip to London where he visited his cancer-stricken father King Charles. At the event, the Duke of Sussex took the stage to present an award, and also took the chance to celebrate the spirit of football and inspire the players gearing up for the big game.
Related: King Charles III Diagnosed With Cancer, Prince Harry Decides To Visit Him
Prince Harry Adds To The Spirits Of NFL Players At Annual Honors Event
The annual NFL Honors event in Las Vegas was in its full glory when Prince Harry walked down the dais amid cheers from the audience. The Duke presented the prestigious 2023 Walter Payton Man of the Year Award to Cameron Heyward and lauded his contribution on and off the field.
Addressing the audience, Prince Harry also took a moment to appreciate the NFL players for their remarkable impact. “All you guys do on and off the field is truly remarkable. You are role models for millions in the way you carry yourselves and in the way you give back,” Prince Harry said.
He then turned his attention to Heyward, and went on to describe him as “a player who goes above and beyond” and highlighted his “extraordinary commitment to helping others.”
Heyward is the 34-year-old defensive tackle for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was honored for his work with The Heyward House, a foundation he established in 2015 to support children from diverse backgrounds in need of additional assistance. The football star faced multiple challenges such as severe asthma and the loss of his father during his teen years.
.@CamHeyward reflects on being named the 2023 Walter Payton Man of the Year 🖤💛
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) February 9, 2024
📺: #NFLHonors on CBS/NFLN pic.twitter.com/HFftSNuZzD
Heyward spoke about the gratitude he has for the influence of his father and legendary player Walter Payton on his life. “When I talk about my dad, he wore No. 34. He’s been with me the entire time. He’s been with me every step of the way. But I know there was another No. 34 that was helping me. This man Walter Payton,” Heyward said in his acceptance speech.
“There’s no act too small, there’s no act too big,” he added. “We’re all trying to make a difference in so many people’s lives,” he said.
In case you missed it: Will King Charles’ Cancer Diagnosis Force Prince Harry And Prince William To Reconcile?
Prince Harry’s Recent Trip To London Spark Rumors Of Reconciliation With Father King Charles
Meanwhile, Prince Harry’s trip to London to be with his ailing father has sparked speculation about a potential reconciliation between the two. While there have been long-standing family conflicts in the royal family, royal experts have stated that the cancer diagnosis is likely to give the father-son duo a chance to mend their relationship.
Royal expert Katie Nicholl recently noted that even though Prince Harry has put forth a very problematic family narrative in his memoir ‘Spare‘, King Charles is desperate to reconcile with him. She asserted that “the door has always been left open” by King Charles as he “loves his son” regardless of past statements.
Prince Harry also rushed to see his father immediately after he received the news of cancer diagnosis. However, he returned back to California after approximately 24 hours in the UK. His wife, Meghan Markle, did not accompany him on the brief visit.
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