Prince Harry is reportedly set to receive a special award in the US, however the 'controversial' decision has sparked a petition by furious critics who say the royal is not a "suitable" candidate.
Harry is set to be honoured at the ESPY awards, a sports event run by TV network ESPN, for his work with injured veterans with the Invictus Games. But a petition calling for ESPY to 'rethink' their decision is underway and has so far amassed more than 27,000 signatures.
Pat Tillman was an American football player who gave up his professional career after 9/11 to enlist in the US army. He served in Iraq and then Afghanistan, and was killed by friendly fire in 2004 and posthumously awarded the Silver Star and Purple Heart for bravery.
Pat's own mother has criticised the decision to honour the Prince, telling the Mail on Sunday: "I am shocked as to why they would select such a controversial and divisive individual to receive the award. There are recipients that are far more fitting.
"There are individuals working in the veteran community that 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 decision has become a talking point in America, with Pat McAfee – a former NFL player who worked for ESPN – saying: "A lot of conversation about Pat Tillman's name American hero ... Now there's an award named after him, as there should be in the sports world because that is somebody who is the definition of selfless.
"It's going to Prince Harry , who I don't even think is a prince anymore," he added, referring to Harry's departure from Royal duties. Boston Connor, McAfee's show co-host, labelled Prince Harry's nomination as "probably the most embarrassing thing I've seen in my entire life".
McAfee also commented on Prince Harry's contributions, such as founding the Invictus Games and serving in the British Army, but suggested these achievements might not align with the spirit of the Pat Tillman Award. "I don't know anything about him except for the South Park episode and what I've learned from The Crown," McAfee admitted.
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"But did his people know like 'you publicly put me up for this award. You're just asking basically every person that considers themselves American and saying 'this is bulls---.'". Ty Schmitt, another member of McAfee's on-air team, further criticised the ESPYS, calling the awards "a gimmick" and arguing that numerous deserving American military members were overlooked.
"There are probably hundreds, if not thousands of people who they could have found who could have benefitted from this award. But instead let's give it to Prince Harry," he said.
The ESPY Awards (Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly) is run by the sports TV network ESPN, with this specific award previously being handed out to unsung heroes. Last year, Buffalo Bills American football team training staff who revived a dying player on the field won the accolade. The ceremony will take place on July 11 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, hosted by the Duchess of Sussex's friend, Serena Williams.
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