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Prince Harry: Divisive royal underfire for receiving award in honour of US war veteran Pat Tillman

Caroline GrahamDaily Mail June 30, 2024 3:25PM

The mother of a US war hero killed in Afghanistan has criticised the decision to give Prince Harry an award honouring her dead son. Harry will receive the memorial award set up in the name of Pat Tillman – an American football star who gave up a £3million contract to enlist in the US Army after 9/11 – in Hollywood next month. But the soldier’s mother, Mary, said she was not consulted, adding: “I am shocked as to why they would select such a controversial and divisive individual to receive the award. Prince HarryWhy Harry’s feud with Wills means he’ll miss wedding TheNightly Get in front of tomorrow’s news for FREE Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.READ NOW “There are recipients that are far more fitting. Individuals are working in the veteran community who are doing tremendous things to assist veterans. “These individuals do not have the money, resources, connections or privilege that Prince Harry has. I feel that those types of individuals should be recognised.” The ESPY Awards (Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly) are run by the sports TV network ESPN. The Pat Tillman Award has previously been given to unsung heroes. Last year, it went to members of the Buffalo Bills American football team’s training staff who had revived a dying player on the field. ESPN said Harry was being honoured for his “tireless work in making a positive impact for the veteran community through the power of sport” with his Invictus Games. But the decision to honour him has led to a backlash. A petition yesterday demanded ESPN to think again, claiming Harry had been “involved in controversies that call into question his suitability to receive an honour of this magnitude”. Royal Family Prince Harry’s ‘new in-law’ Nigerian