Mary Tillman, Mother of Pat Tillman, ‘Shocked’ by Prince Harry’s Receipt of ESPY Award Named After Her Son

Marie Tillman, the mother of the late Pat Tillman, spoke out against the nomination of Prince Harry as this year’s recipient of the Pat Tillman Service Award, a special ESPY award that recognizes sports figures who have had a positive impact on others. He has often highlighted military veterans.

In an interview with the Daily Mail After the announcement, she said she was “shocked” by the choice.

“I’m shocked why they would choose such a controversial and divisive person to receive this award,” she said. “There are recipients who are much more appropriate. There are people who work in the veteran community and do wonderful things to help veterans. These people don’t have the money, the resources, the connections or the privileges that Prince Harry has. I think those types of people should be recognized.”

Pat Tillman was an NFL safety for the Arizona Cardinals who quit football and enlisted in the U.S. Army following the September 11 terrorist attacks. In 2004, he was killed by friendly fire in Afghanistan.

Harry, who served in the British Army for 10 years and himself completed two tours of duty in Afghanistan, was selected by ESPN for the award because of his work with the Invictus Games, a sports competition for wounded, sick and injured veterans and military personnel that he launched 10 years ago with the help of Sir Keith Mills. Inspired by the U.S. Department of Defense’s Warrior Games, he expanded the idea into an international Paralympic-style competition that now includes participants from at least 23 countries. Beyond the competition itself, the Invictus Games provide additional support and programming to military personnel and their families throughout the year.

In a statement to The Vanity Fair, An ESPN spokesperson supported the network’s choice: “ESPN, with the support of the Tillman Foundation, honors Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, particularly for the work of the Invictus Games Foundation, which is celebrating its 10th year of promoting healing through the power of sport for service members and veterans around the world. While we understand that not everyone will agree with every honoree selected for an award, the Invictus Games Foundation does incredible work and ESPN believes it is a cause worth celebrating.”

Pat Tillman’s widow, Marie Tillman Shenton, is the president and co-founder of the Tillman Foundation, while Mary Tillman is not listed as an officer on the organization’s website.

When Harry learned he had been selected for this honor, he simply said, “This one is for our entire service community.”

The ESPYs, which air on ABC at 8 p.m. on July 11, will be hosted this year by Serena Williams, a close friend of Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle.

Representatives for Mary Tillman did not immediately return a request for comment. Vanity FairRequest for comment from.