Recipients of the prestigious Pat Tillman Service Award have come to Prince Harry’s defence after he was presented with the military honour.
Following negative reaction in some circles to the royal’s win, two former recipients say Harry deserves the award, which is handed out by ESPN at the annual ESPY Awards.
Jake Wood, a US Marine who won the award in 2018, said TMZ that the Duke of Sussex’s record with veterans justifies his victory.
This sentiment was echoed by 2017 recipient, U.S. Air Force Master Sergeant Israel Del Toro Jr., who told the outlet that Harry’s work with wounded veterans makes him a worthy recipient.
This comes after Pat Tillman’s mother slammed ESPN after Prince Harry was announced as the winner, criticising the network for giving the award to a “controversial and divisive individual.”
Recipients of the prestigious Pat Tillman Service Award have come to the defence of Prince Harry after he was presented with the military honour.
The award is named for military veteran Pat Tillman, a former NFL player who left the league to join the Army after 9/11. He died during a tour of duty in Afghanistan in 2004.
The award is given each year in honor of Pat Tillman, a former NFL player who left the league to enlist in the military after 9/11.
Tillman died during a tour in Afghanistan in 2004.
Prince Harry, who served two tours in Afghanistan, was furious with Tillman’s mother, Mary, after his award was announced last month, saying she was not consulted about who should win the award in her son’s honour.
“I am surprised that they chose such a controversial and divisive individual to receive the award,” he said at the time.
‘There are recipients who are much more suitable. There are people working in the veteran community who are doing tremendous things to help them.
“These people don’t have the money, the resources, the connections or the privileges that Prince Harry has. I think these kinds of people should be recognised.”