ESPN recently awarded Prince Harry the prestigious Pat Tillman Award for Service at the broadcaster’s annual ESPY Awards.
While many online were over the moon with the selection, it apparently didn’t sit well with Mary “Dannie” Tillman, the mother of the late NFL superstar who was killed in a tragic incident of friendly fire while serving in Afghanistan.
“I am shocked as to why they would select such a controversial and divisive individual to receive the award,” she told The Daily Mail. “There are recipients that are far more fitting. There are individuals working in the veteran community that 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 recognized.”
Harry is a ten-year veteran of the British Army. Like Tillman, Harry also served in Afghanistan. As other outlets have noted, Harry’s connection to sports comes through the Invictus Games, a competition featuring armed service members worldwide.
Harry has since left the British royal family in a public capacity to pursue a private life with his wife, American actress Meghan Markle.
Harry, the Royal Family and ESPN did not immediately respond to the criticism from Tillman’s mother.
