The Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest is my Super Bowl, but last year was a letdown. That is because they denied 15-time champ Joey Chestnut entry into the competition because he was a spokesperson for a plant-based meat company.
It was a huge mistake on Nathan’s part, and they learned their lesson. So today, the competition eater announced that he will be downing hot dogs in Coney Island on July 4th again.
Chestnut wrote, “I’m thrilled to be returning to the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest. This event means the world to me. It’s a cherished tradition, a celebration of American culture, and a huge part of my life.
“While I have and continue to partner with a variety of companies, including some in the plant-based space, those relationships were never a conflict with my love for hot dogs. To be clear: Nathan’s is the only hot dog company I’ve ever worked with.
“I respect that there were differences in interpretation, but I’m grateful we’ve been able to find common ground.
“I’m excited to be back on the Coney Island stage, doing what I live to do, and celebrating the Fourth of July with hot dogs in my hands!”
And I am excited to see him with hot dogs in his mouth for a few seconds! This year is going to be extra fun for me because my niece is doing a student exchange program, and there is going to be a Korean student staying at my friends’ house on that day. Therefore, I am going to introduce her to an American tradition that they don’t have in Korea. That is, if my friends let me meet her because they don’t want America to have any more of a negative image than it already has, because of Trump.
