Prince Harry accepts Pat Tillman Award, sends message to Mary Tillman

Prince Harry took to the stage at Dolby Theater in Hollywood Thursday to receive a ESPN award named in honor of Pat Tillman, in spite of objections from Tillman’s mother, Mary.

During his acceptance speech for the Pat Tillman Award for Service at the ESPYS, the Duke of Sussex spoke directly to Mary Tillman, who was in the audience.

“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.”

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 is a 10-year military veteran with two tours of 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,” he said, “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.

“This award belongs to them. Not to me.”