Americans call on ESPN to 'do the right thing' and reconsider giving Prince Harry the Pat Tillman award: 'Give it to one of our own heroes!'

Americans are calling connected ESPN to reconsider giving nan Pat Tillman grant to Prince Harry, asking that nan grant spell to 'one of our heroes' instead. 

More than 68,000 group person signed a petition launched connected June 27 asking nan sports web to 'Rethink Awarding nan Pat Tillman Award to Prince Harry.'

The petition was created by New Jersey resident Patti Mickel, who said 'the Pat Tillman grant should beryllium typical of his values and should grant personification who, for illustration Tillman, has shown unwavering dedication to their squad and country.'

Mickel added: 'Prince Harry, while a erstwhile subject officer, has been progressive successful controversies that telephone into mobility his suitability to person an grant of this magnitude.'

Tillman was hailed successful nan US aft giving up his lucrative profession pinch nan Arizona Cardinals to enlist arsenic an Army Ranger. He served successful Iraq and past Afghanistan, wherever he was killed by friends occurrence successful 2004 - erstwhile he was 27.

Harry, 39, is owed to beryllium honored pinch nan Pat Tillman Award for Service for his Invictus Games activity astatine nan glitzy ESPY Awards successful Los Angeles connected July 11. The 2024 ESPYS will beryllium hosted by Serena Williams - a adjacent friend of Meghan Markle. 

Many of nan petition signers felt truthful powerfully against giving Prince Harry nan grant that they near video comments expressing their rage astir ESPN's determination to grant nan royal.

A signer named Shawnia held a motion that publication 'We want privacy!' - referencing a South Park section making nosy of Prince Harry and his woman Meghan Markle.

She said: 'We each cognize you're trying to hole your PR, Harry. We'll springiness you your privacy.'

Fellow petition signer Rebecca said: 'Pat Tillman gave up a luxurious life successful nan NFL to conflict for this country. Harry gave up a life of work for his ain gain. He is not connected nan aforesaid level.'

A signer named cookware added: 'Pat Tillman was an American hero. Harry isn’t moreover an American citizen. Pat Tillman gave up millions to conflict for our country. Harry could only make money by smearing his family. Him accepting this grant is only to make himself much prevalent.'

Another signer, named Cherie, said: 'I graduated from nan aforesaid precocious schoolhouse arsenic Pat Tillman, and I americium very overmuch against Harry get nan grant based connected everything that Pat Tillman stood for and represents for this country, I find it appalling.

Signer Sisi added successful a video message: Pat Tillman died representing retired country, protecting our freedom. Harry has travel to nan United States and doesn't admit nan First Amendment - says it's bonkers. Pat Tillman deserves amended than this. No, Harry, no!'

Petition creator Mickel shared an update connected Thursday, writing: 'Some mightiness beryllium willing to cognize that location are group coming astatine maine for my sentiment connected this...

'You’re coming astatine maine pinch accusations for illustration I must activity for nan British property aliases that I conscionable dislike Harry and Megan (Which is true, but it’s not a logic for nan petition). 

'I’m very proud to person my sanction associated pinch this petition. We’re complete 60,000 now pinch Seven days to go. I’m hoping ESPN will do nan correct thing.'

Tillman's ain mother Mary has said she wishes nan grant would person gone to personification else, adding that she was not consulted by ESPN.

Tillman's mother said: ‘I americium shocked arsenic to why they would prime specified a arguable and divisive individual to person nan award.

‘There are recipients that are acold much fitting. There are individuals moving successful nan seasoned organization that are doing tremendous things to assistance veterans.

‘These individuals do not person nan money, resources, connections aliases privilege that Prince Harry has. I consciousness that those types of individuals should beryllium recognized.’

A spokesperson for ESPN antecedently said: 'ESPN, pinch nan support of nan Tillman Foundation, is honoring Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, specifically for nan activity of The Invictus Games Foundation arsenic it celebrates its 10th twelvemonth promoting treatment done nan powerfulness of athletics for subject work members and veterans astir nan world.

'While we understand not everyone will work together pinch each honorees selected for immoderate award, The Invictus Games Foundation does unthinkable activity and ESPN believes this is simply a origin worthy celebrating.'

The Duke of Sussex is reportedly 'stunned' by nan backlash and a root claimed nan fallout has been a 'bitter pill to swallow'. 

The ESPY Awards (Excellence successful Sports Performance Yearly) is tally by nan sports TV web ESPN and nan Pat Tillman Award has antecedently been fixed to unsung heroes. 

Last twelvemonth it went to members of nan Buffalo Bills American shot squad training unit who revived a dying subordinate connected nan field.

Sources told The Telegraph that it is simply a 'bitter pill to swallow' erstwhile nan Duke of Sussex is criticized astir thing relating to his subject grounds and activity pinch veterans.

'Harry's bequest connected Invictus, nan things he has achieved, that's his existent passion,' they said. 'This is nan abstraction successful which he genuinely feels astatine home, it is thing he profoundly cares about. The guidance surely took nan radiance disconnected nan award.'

The root acknowledged that it was akin to erstwhile Harry, who completed 2 tours of Afghanistan arsenic an Apache chopper aviator was recognized arsenic a Living Legend of Aviation astatine a star-studded ceremonial successful Beverly Hills, California, successful January.

As he joined nan likes of astronauts Buzz Aldrin and James Lovell successful picking up nan prestigious award, Admiral Lord West, erstwhile caput of nan Royal Navy, brutally said: 'He is not a surviving legend'.