Prince Harry was “stunned” by the backlash he faced after being nominated for an award named after a US war hero killed in Afghanistan, sources have claimed.
The Duke of Sussex, 39, will be honoured with the Pat Tillman Service Award for his work on the Invictus Games at the glitzy ESPY Awards in Los Angeles on July 11.
Tillman, an American football star who gave up a £3m contract to join the US Army after 9/11, saw his life tragically cut short at the age of 27 when he was killed in friendly fire while serving in Afghanistan 20 years ago.
His mother Mary, who said she was not consulted about giving Prince Harry the award named after her son, told the Mail last week: “I am shocked that they chose such a controversial and divisive individual to receive the award.
‘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.”
Prince Harry (pictured with Meghan) was “stunned” by the backlash he faced after being nominated for an award named after a US war hero killed in Afghanistan, sources have claimed.
Tillman (pictured), an American football star who gave up a £3m contract to join the US Army after 9/11, saw his life tragically cut short at the age of 27 when he was killed in friendly fire while serving in Afghanistan 20 years ago.
The ESPY Awards (Excellence in Sports Performance Annual) are hosted by sports television network ESPN and the Pat Tillman Award has previously been given to unsung heroes.
Last year, the award went to members of the Buffalo Bills football team’s coaching staff who revived a dying player on the field.
ESPN said Harry was being honoured for his “tireless work to make a positive impact on the veteran community through the power of sport” with his Invictus Games.
But the decision to pay tribute to him has sparked a backlash.
Sources said The Telegraph that it is “a bitter pill to swallow” when the Duke of Sussex is criticised for anything to do with his military record and his work with veterans.
“Harry’s legacy at Invictus, the things he’s achieved, that’s his true passion,” they said. “This is the space he really feels at home in, it’s something he cares deeply about. The reaction certainly took the shine off the award.”
The source acknowledged that it was similar to when Harry, who completed two tours in Afghanistan as an Apache helicopter pilot, was recognized as a Living Legend of Aviation at a star-studded ceremony in Beverly Hills, California, in January.
Joining astronauts including Buzz Aldrin, James Lovell and Tim Peak in collecting the prestigious award, Admiral Lord West, former head of the Royal Navy, said bluntly: “He’s not a living legend.”
The latest backlash began almost immediately after ESPN announced on June 27 that Harry would receive the Pat Tillman Service Award.
The Duke of Sussex completed two tours of Afghanistan as an Apache helicopter pilot
A petition urging ESPN to reconsider its decision garnered nearly 68,000 signatures in ten days.
It said: ‘Pat Tillman exemplified duty, honor and sacrifice.’
“He gave up his successful NFL career to serve his country after the 9/11 attacks and tragically lost his life while in service. To bestow this honor on someone who does not reflect the intent of the award diminishes its value and is disrespectful to Tillman’s memory.”
Former NFL player Pat McAfee also weighed in, saying: “We should celebrate sport. World leaders should celebrate sport, but doing something like that is obviously trying to piss people off.”
He said they should create a new category just for the duke. “What if it’s like an ESPY for members of the Royal Family who don’t want to be called ‘members of the Royal Family’ and love sports?”
Former Pat Tillman Award winner Jake Wood later defended Prince Harry on TMZ Live, saying: “He’s a real prince, there are 100 different things he could have done with his life after his service in the British Armed Forces, but he chose to dedicate a large part of his post-military life to helping veterans.”
The source acknowledged that it was similar to when Harry was recognised as a Living Legend of Aviation at a star-studded ceremony in Beverly Hills, California, in January (pictured)
Pat Tillman gained acclaim in the U.S. after leaving his lucrative career with the Arizona Cardinals to enlist as an Army Ranger.
He served in Iraq and then Afghanistan, where he was killed by friendly fire in 2004. He was awarded the Silver Star and the Purple Heart for his bravery.
An ESPN spokesperson previously said: ‘ESPN, with the support of the Tillman Foundation, is honouring Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, specifically for the work of the Invictus Games Foundation as it celebrates its 10th year promoting healing through the power of sport for military service members and veterans around the world.
‘While we understand that not everyone will agree with every honoree selected for any award, the Invictus Games Foundation does incredible work and ESPN believes this is a cause worth celebrating.’
Archewell has been contacted for comment.