Pat Tillman Award recipients react to Prince Harry receiving prestigious military honor as ESPN defends the decision

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. 

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.' 

The award is handed out each year at the ESPY awards, and is named for military veteran Pat Tillman, a former NFL player who left the league to enlist in the army after 9/11. 

Tillman died during a tour of Afghanistan in 2004. 

Prince Harry - who served two tours in Afghanistan - was scathed by Tillman's mother Mary after his award win was announced last month, and said she was not consulted on who should win the award in her son's honor.  

'I am shocked as to why they would select such a controversial and divisive individual to receive the award,' she said at the time. 

'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 recognized.’