Backlash grows after Prince Harry wins award set up to honour war hero

The mother of an American war hero killed in Afghanistan has criticised the decision to give Prince Harry an award in honour of her late son.

Harry will receive the memorial award in Hollywood next month established in the name of Pat Tillman – an American football star who gave up a £3million contract to enlist in the US army after September 11.

But the soldier’s mother, Mary, said she was not consulted. She added: “I am shocked that they have selected such a controversial and divisive individual to receive the award.

‘There are receivers that are much more suitable. There are people working in the veteran community who are doing great things to help veterans.

“These individuals do not have the money, resources, connections or privileges that Prince Harry has. I think these types of individuals should be recognized.”

The award goes to Pat Tillman (pictured), whose mother, Mary, said she was not consulted

The ESPY Awards (Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly) are administered by the sports television network ESPN and the Pat Tillman Award has previously been given to unsung heroes.

Last year the award went to the coaches of the American football team Buffalo Bills who brought a dying player back to life on the field.

ESPN reported that Harry was honored for his “tireless work to make a positive impact on the veteran community through the power of sports” with his Invictus Games.

But the decision to honor him has sparked a backlash. A petition yesterday demanded ESPN to reconsider, claiming Harry had been “involved in controversies that call into question his suitability to receive an honor of this magnitude.”

It reads: “Granting this honor to someone who does not reflect the intent of the award diminishes its value and disrespects Tillman’s memory.”

Pat Tillman received widespread acclaim 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. For his bravery he received the Silver Star and the Purple Heart.

One of the signers of the petition, Tania Smith, said: ‘Pat Tillman embodied service and sacrifice, he did his patriotic duty’, but ‘Harry represents neither of these qualities’.

Members of the Buffalo Bills American football team accept the Pat Tillman Award for Service. Training staff revived a dying player on the field

She added: ‘He has publicly disrespected his family, walked away from serving his country as a member of the royal family… He is unworthy of this award.’

A source said: ‘It is incredibly hurtful that the family had no say in this. Pat Tillman was a unifying force for good. Harry is sowing division… There are many unsung heroes who deserve much more.”

The prince’s Archewell organization was contacted for comment.