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

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.

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“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”.

It says: “Awarding this honour to someone who does not reflect the award’s intent diminishes its value and disrespects Tillman’s memory.”

Pat Tillman was hailed in the US after giving up 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 Purple Heart for bravery.

One petition signatory, Tania Smith, said, “Pat Tillman embodied service and sacrifice, doing his patriotic duty,” but “Harry represents none of these qualities.”

She added: “He publicly disrespected his family and ran away from service to his country as a royal … He is unworthy of this award.”

A source said: “It’s incredibly hurtful that the family had no say in this. Pat Tillman was a unifying force for good. Harry is divisive … many unsung heroes are far more deserving.”

The prince’s Archewell organisation was approached for comment.