The ‘Greatest Eater In History’ Promotes Vegan Hotdogs – Receives Instant Repercussions
The “greatest eater in history” apparently won’t be participating in Nathan’s Famous hot dog eating contest this summer.
Joey Chestnut, who has won 16 of the last 17 Nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest titles, will not be defending his title this year after endorsing vegan hotdogs!
The widely attributed plaintive plea directed at Shoeless Joe Jackson by a dirty-faced kid likely never happened, but a similar plea should be directed at meatless Joey Chestnut. Joey Chestnut has been a staple at Coney Island’s Fourth of July hot dog eating contest since 2016. However, Joey has recently switched teams. In a betrayal rivaling Benedict Arnold turning his coat, Joey has swapped his allegiance from Nathan’s meat hot dogs to meatless dogs.
Writing on X/Twitter, Chestnut said: “I was gutted to learn from the media that after 19 years I’m banned from the Nathan’s July 4th Hot Dog Eating Contest. I love competing in that event, I love celebrating America with my fans all over this great country on the 4th and I have been training to defend my title.”
The MLE said in a statement that it was “devastated to learn that Joey Chestnut has chosen to represent a rival brand that sells plant-based hot dogs” instead of competing in the contest. “MLE and Nathan’s went to great lengths to accommodate Joey and his management team, agreeing to the appearance fee and allowing Joey to compete in a rival, unbranded hot dog eating contest on Labor Day,” it said.
The organiser added that it has operated under the same “hot dog exclusivity provisions” for nearly two decades. Prior to the 2010 event, it banned Japanese former competitive eater Takeru Kobayashi over a contract exclusivity dispute as well, which meant the six-time champion never competed in the Nathan’s Famous contest again.
I’m shrewd, passionate, learned and energetic, God-fearing and patriotic. I’ve done a fine job reintroducing good old American conservatism to a new generation of Americans. I’ve earned the love and friendship of many, the hatred of some, but the respect of all.
