Prince Harry’s ESPY Award Draws Backlash from Pat Tillman’s Mother

It was announced that the Duke of Sussex would receive the Pat Tillman Award for Service at the ESPY Awards, but Mary Tillman says there are “more fitting” recipients

Prince Harry at the Invictus Games in Germany on Sept. 9, 2023. PHOTO: JORIS VERWIJST/BSR AGENCY/GETTY

The mother of U.S. soldier and NFL star Pat Tillman is speaking out against the decision to give the ESPN award named after her son to Prince Harry.

It was announced on June 27 that the Duke of Sussex, 39, would receive the Pat Tillman Award for Service at the 2024 ESPY Awards to recognize his impact on the veteran community through the Invictus Games.

Pat’s mother, Mary Tillman, told the Daily Mail that she was “shocked” by the choice.

“I am shocked as to why they would select such a controversial and divisive individual to receive the award,” she said, according to the outlet.

“There are recipients that are far more fitting. There are individuals working in the veteran community that are doing tremendous things to assist veterans,” Mary continued. “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.”

PEOPLE reached out to representatives for the Duke of Sussex for comment.

Mary Tillman, mother of Pat Tillman who was killed in Afghanistan, on April 24, 2007.PETE SOUZA/CHICAGO TRIBUNE/TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE VIA GETTY

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ESPN said in a statement: “ESPN, with the support of the Tillman Foundation, is honoring 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 not everyone will agree with all honorees selected for any award, the Invictus Games Foundation does incredible work, and ESPN believes this is a cause worth celebrating.”

While Mary said she was not consulted about the award winner, she has also not previously been involved with the selection of recipients for the award named for her son.

Pat enlisted in the military after 9/11, giving up his career in the NFL. He died in Afghanistan in 2004 at age 27.

The Pat Tillman Award for Service is presented by ESPN each year to someone who has used their connection to the world of sports to positively impact the lives of others. Last year, the honor went to the Buffalo Bills training staff for their efforts that saved Damar Hamlin’s life after he suffered a cardiac arrest during a game.

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Pat Tillman in 2003. AP PHOTO/PHOTOGRAPHY PLUS VIA WILLIAMSON STEALTH MEDIA SOLUTIONS

Prince Harry, who served in the British Army for 10 years and undertook two tours in Afghanistan, founded the Invictus Games in 2014. The adaptive sports competition for wounded, injured and sick service personnel, both serving and veterans, has been held six times around the world, with the 2023 event welcoming 21 nations and 500 athletes to Düsseldorf.

Team U.S.A. member Retired Chief Master Sgt. Garrett Kuwada told PEOPLE in 2023 that the Invictus Games were integral to his “healing process.”

“Even just now when I looked out, everybody’s got a smile on their face. Every competitor that’s out there, they’re smiling. And they’re from all different countries,” he said. “I’m so grateful that Prince Harry put this together for us veterans to come together and use this as part of our healing process. And we are, we’re healing, because everybody is smiling.”

Prince Harry attends the Invictus Games in Germany on Sept. 11, 2023.CHRIS JACKSON/GETTY IMAGES

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Garrett’s wife, Joey, said the Invictus Games gave her husband “purpose” — adding that the event has been “lifesaving” for Garrett and other service personnel.

“This is lifesaving to a lot of people,” she said. “This is something that veterans, from our story, Garrett and I’s story, it saved his life. He looks forward to competing, it gives him purpose, it gives him something to strive for. He’s retired and his only job is to be an athlete, to be a competitor. And so for something like this to have for these injured servicemen and women, it’s needed. A lot of veterans feel like their lives are over, and they have nothing more positive to experience. But these Games, you can see, tell a whole different story.”

Garrett Kuwada (left) competes in the Invictus Games on Sept. 11, 2023.LUKAS SCHULZE/GETTY

Mike Bourgeois, a member of Canada’s archery team at the Invictus Games in 2022, told PEOPLE earlier this year that Prince Harry “gets recharged” at the event.

“He’s with his people now; he’s with the soldiers and the veterans, and that’s shared experiences,” Bourgeois said during the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025’s One Year to Go celebrations in February.

“And so you can just watch him get filled up as the day goes on. In the moment, he cares about each and every individual athlete and their families,” he continued.

Invictus Games Team Canada alumni Major Joanna Labonté told PEOPLE in February that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s spotlight on the sporting event makes her feel like the “world is paying attention.”

“It really makes us feel like our commitment and our sacrifice to our country matters,” she said.

Prince Harry attends the Invictus Games in Germany on Sept. 15, 2023.CHRIS JACKSON/GETTY IMAGES

Speaking to PEOPLE in 2022, Prince Harry credited the Invictus community as “a major part of my growth and learning.”

“Creating the Games involved listening to military and veteran families — and hearing directly from them about their lives — and that offered so much perspective. It’s been a lesson in serving a purpose greater than ourselves, and the benefit that comes from that extends to both the individual and the community” the Duke of Sussex said. “I truly believe that we are at our best when we’re in service to others, and Invictus is all about upholding that value.”