Prince Harry ‘stunned’ by backlash to his ESPY nomination for ‘the Pat Tilman Award for Service’ after Afghanistan veteran’s own mother said she would have preferred for it to go to someone ‘less privileged’

Prince Harry was “stunned” by the backlash he received after being nominated for an award named after an American war hero who died in Afghanistan, sources said.

The 39-year-old Duke of Sussex is expected to receive the Pat Tillman Award for Service for his work with the Invictus Games at the glittering ESPY Awards in Los Angeles on July 11.

Tillman, an American football star who gave up a £3million contract to join the US Army after 9/11, saw his life tragically cut short at the age of 27 when he was killed by friendly fire while serving in Afghanistan 20 years ago.

His mother Mary, who said she was not consulted about Prince Harry receiving the award in her son’s name, told the Mail last week: ‘I’m shocked that they have selected such a controversial and divisive person to receive the award.

“There are recipients that are much more appropriate. There are people who work in the veteran community who are doing great things to help veterans.

“These people don’t have the money, the resources, the connections or the privileges that Prince Harry has. I think these people need to be recognised.”

Tillman (pictured), an American football star who gave up a £3million contract to join the US Army after 9/11, saw his life tragically cut short at the age of 27 when he was killed by friendly fire while serving in Afghanistan 20 years ago.

The ESPY Awards (Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly) are organized 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 efforts to positively impact the veteran community through the power of sports” with his Invictus Games.

But the decision to honor him led to 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 real passion,” they said. “This is the space he really feels at home in, it’s something he cares about deeply. The backlash has definitely taken the shine off the award.”

The source acknowledged it was similar to when Harry, who twice flew as an Apache helicopter pilot in Afghanistan, was recognized as a living legend of aviation at a ceremony in Beverly Hills, California, in January.

When he accepted the prestigious award alongside astronauts Buzz Aldrin, James Lovell and Tim Peak, Admiral Lord West, former head of the Royal Navy, said bluntly: “He is not a living legend.”

The latest negative reactions came almost immediately after ESPN announced on June 27 that Harry would receive the Pat Tillman Award for Service.

The Duke of Sussex completed two tours of Afghanistan as an Apache helicopter pilot

A petition urging ESPN to reconsider its decision was signed by nearly 68,000 people in ten days.

It read: ‘Pat Tillman was an example of duty, honor and sacrifice.’

“He gave up a successful NFL career to serve his country after the 9/11 attacks and tragically lost his life in the line of duty. Awarding this honor to someone who does not reflect the intent of the award diminishes its value and is a disrespect to Tillman’s memory.”

Former NFL player Pat McAfee also weighed in, saying, “We should be celebrating sports. World leaders should be celebrating sports, but doing something like this is clearly trying to anger people.”

He said they should create a new category just for the Duke. ‘How about ESPY for a member of the Royal Family who doesn’t want to be called a ‘member of the Royal Family’ but loves sports?’

Former Pat Tillman Award winner Jake Wood later defended Prince Harry on TMZ Live, saying, “He’s a royal prince, there’s 100 different things he could have done with his life after serving in the British Armed Forces, but he’s chosen to dedicate a large portion of his life after the military to helping veterans.”

The source acknowledged it was similar to when Harry was recognized as a living legend of aviation at a star-studded ceremony in Beverly Hills, California, in January (pictured)

Pat Tillman received widespread praise 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 was awarded the Silver Star and the Purple Heart.

An ESPN spokesperson said earlier: ‘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 anniversary of advancing healing through the power of sport for service members and veterans around the world.

“While we understand that not everyone will agree with all of the nominees for an award, the Invictus Games Foundation does incredible work and ESPN believes this is a cause worth celebrating.”

Archewell has been contacted for comment.