Prince Harry accepts Pat Tillman service award at ESPYs after Mary Tillman's objections
Pat Tillman's mother told the Daily Mail earlier this week that there were 'far better recipients' for the Pat Tillman Award than Prince Harry, who created the Invictus Games for wounded veterans.
Prince Harry has accepted an award named for war hero Pat Tillman despite objections from the fallen soldier's mother.
Harry, who is fifth in line for the British throne, is a 10-year military veteran with two tours in Afghanistan as a helicopter pilot. He was credited with the creation of the Invictus Games for wounded or injured veterans in 2014.
“The truth is, I stand here not as Prince Harry, Pat Tillman award recipient, but rather a voice on behalf of the Invictus Games Foundation and the thousands of veterans and service personnel from over 20 nations who have made the Invictus Games a reality," he said as he accepted the Pat Tillman Award for Service at the ESPYs on Thursday.
"This award belongs to them. Not to me," he continued.
Pat Tillman's mother: 'Far more fitting' recipients than Harry
Mary Tillman expressed frustration with the choice last week in an interview with the Daily Mail.
"There are recipients that are far more fitting," she said. "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 recognized."
A petition on Change.org gathered more than 75,000 signatures in protest of Prince Harry's selection.
Prince Harry honors Mary Tillman in speech
During his acceptance speech, Prince Harry addressed Mary Tillman, who was not present.
"Her advocacy for Pat's legacy is deeply personal and one that I respect," he said. "The bond between a mother and son is eternal and transcends even the greatest losses."
He also used his speech to address "the precarious state" the world is in and how the Invictus Games brings people together "no matter one's nationality, background or personal struggles."
"Moments like these help us reach those that need Invictus most and reduce more than 20 veterans a day taking their own lives in this country alone," he said.
Harry cited a military expression from Roman times that he said he had no doubt that Pat Tillman lived by: "Leave no one behind." He then made a promise on behalf of the Invictus Games:
"No matter the road ahead, we are here for you," he said. "We will leave no one behind."
Who was Pat Tillman?
Pat Tillman was playing in the NFL for the Arizona Cardinals when, inspired by the 9/11 terror attacks, he left the sport and joined the U.S. Army. He served in Iraq and Afghanistan but was killed by friendly fire in a tragedy in Afghanistan in 2004 that the military initially concealed. He was 27.
Both before and after his death, Tillman's name became synonymous with sacrifice, heroism and honor.