For 16 years, competitive eater Joey Chestnut has been a staple of the Fourth of July with the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Championship. A 16-time winner, Chestnut currently holds the record for the most dogs eaten at 76 dogs. So this year, fans were excited to see him go for his 17th win and possibly a new record. Unfortunately, the Frankfurter King has been banned from competing in this year’s competition due to vegan hot dogs.
The Dog King Competing
Chestnut recently signed a deal with Impossible Foods to promote their hot dog line. This came after Nathan’s and the Major League Eating Association offered the champion a $1.2 million contract and even threw in a Labor Day competition offer.
The situation is upsetting to fans. Everyone wants Chestnut to compete again. So what should Nathan’s do?
In the future, Nathan’s should try to hold a vegan hot dog competition on the Fourth of July to supplement their standard beef competitions. Not only would the competition teach younger viewers to live a healthier lifestyle, but Chestnut would also be able to compete again. That way, everyone would be a winner.
It’s unfair to see a staple of the competitive eating world banned from where he got his start. Let’s hope this “impossible” situation can be worked out.
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