Prince Harry's ESPY Award May Be Revoked Amid Backlash From Pat Tillman's Mother Who Called Him 'Contentious' And 'Polarizing'
Prince Harry is set to receive the Pat Tillman Award for Service, but Tillman's mother has voiced her disappointment with this year's honoree.
Harry, 39, is slated to receive an ESPY Award this month for his contributions to the Invictus Games Foundation. However, the network airing The Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly Awards has been compelled to justify its decision amid widespread public criticism.
RELATED: Queen Camilla Reveals The Netflix Show She's Been Watching: 'I Watched The First Lot'
Last week, the Duke of Sussex was announced as the recipient of the Pat Tillman Award for Service, which will be presented on July 11. This accolade recognizes individuals deeply linked to sports who have dedicated themselves to serving others, in the spirit of former NFL player and US Army Ranger Pat Tillman.
Pat Tillman enlisted in the United States Army following the 9/11 attacks, foregoing a lucrative American football contract to serve in Iraq and Afghanistan. On April 22, 2004, he was killed by friendly fire.
The ESPYs defended their selection of Prince Harry, 39, for the Pat Tillman Award, citing his own military service as a forward air controller and Apache helicopter pilot in Afghanistan. ESPN, the cable sports channel overseeing the awards, praised the Invictus Games Foundation for its commitment to enhancing the mental and physical well-being of wounded servicemen and women through sports.
RELATED: King Charles' Health Receives 'Green Light' From Doctors Amid Cancer Treatment
Shortly after the ESPYs announcement, Tillman's mother, Mary Tillman, told 'The Daily Mail' that Prince Harry does not merit the award intended to honor her son's legacy.
"I am surprised they would choose such a contentious and polarizing figure to receive the award," she said, adding that she was not consulted about the recipient selection beforehand.
"There are individuals working in the veteran community that are doing tremendous things to assist veterans," Tillman added, 'NBC News' reports. "These individuals do not have the money, resources, connections or privilege that Prince Harry has."
