Recipients of the prestigious Pat Tillman Award for Service have come out in defense of Prince Harry after he was handed the military honor.
Following backlash in some circles to the royals’ win, two former recipients say Harry is deserving of the award, which is handed out by ESPN at the annual ESPY Awards.
Jake Wood, a US Marine who won the award in 2018, told TMZ that the Duke of Sussex’s record with veterans justifies his win.
This view was shared by 2017 winner U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Israel Del Toro Jr., who told the outlet that Harry’s work with wounded vets makes him a worthy recipient.
It comes after Pat Tillman’s mother slammed ESPN after Prince Harry was announced as the winner, criticizing the network for giving the gong to a ‘controversial and divisive individual.’
