The 4th Of July Tradition That'll Make You Want To Vomit
Downing 74 hot dogs in 10 minutes - what could go wrong?
Nothing says “Happy Birthday America” like sitting on your couch watching people down 74 hot dogs in 10 minutes.
This post will definitely make you the hit of the BBQ,
The Last Night’s Game Team
1. In a tradition unlike any other, our nation will celebrate its birthday with the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest. Like our country, the contest’s roots run deep. According to Nathan’s, legend has it that on July 4, 1916, four immigrants gathered at the very first Nathan’s Famous hot dog stand on Coney Island and made eating contest history. As the story goes, they were competing to see who was the most patriotic. The winner was determined with a hot dog eating contest. BUT OF COURSE
2. Due to COVID rules, only five competitors will compete this year and they will compete indoors. Usually the contest has 15 dog-downing competitors and the competition takes place amidst stifling humidity and a massive crowd right in front of the first Nathan’s Hot Dog Stand in Coney Island. The indoor environment might prove to be just what 12-time champion Joey Chestnut needs to beat his record of 74 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes. BTW in case you’re wondering those 74 hot dogs equal 22,200 calories and 1,332 grams of fat. IRON STOMACH
3. Don’t worry this sport isn’t only for the boys. On the women’s side, Miki Sudo has won for six straight years. For comparison sake, in 2019 she ate 31 hot dogs as compared to Chestnut’s 71. In case you’re wondering she also holds the records for 8.5 pounds of Kimchi in six minutes and 14 pounds of wild rice hotdish in 8 minutes. For the record, Chestnut holds the record for the most hard boiled eggs eaten in 10 minutes at 151. THIS COULD BE A TALENT YOU NEVER KNEW YOU HAD
4. Let’s talk about what everyone is thinking about – vomiting. An eater who has "a Roman incident" or “reversal of fortune,” as it is so delightfully called, will be disqualified if the result of that incident touches the plate or table. After the contest is over, eaters can dispose of the food however they’d like, although some contests have a post-binge wait period. And in case you’re wondering, contestants can eat the bun and dog separately and dunk the bun in water to help it go down better. “Chipmunking” is also allowed. That’s when contestants stuff their mouths full of food as time runs out. They have 30 seconds to swallow the food to have it count. MAKE SURE NOT TO SIT IN THE SPLASH ZONE
5. This isn't college, the competitors don't show up just for the food. The winner takes home $10,000. And this year’s event will honor and raise money for those essential workers who take care of us when we’re down and out. If that’s not enough, Nathan’s will also donate 100,000 hot dogs to the Food Bank of New York. EATING FOR GOOD
You can catch the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest at noon EST on July 4 on ESPN.
The Rundown: Weekend Wrap Up - The Ultimate BBQ Ice Breaker
We interrupt your regularly scheduled Fourth of July festivities to bring you the one thing you need for today’s BBQ. No it’s not potato chips, burgers or fireworks. It’s the ultimate icebreaker - today’s rundown.
Life, liberty and the pursuit of sports knowledge,
The Last Night’s Game Team
F1 (Formula One Racing)
Stop hitting your brother. Lewis Hamilton won in Austria after passing teammate Nico Rosberg on the last lap. On the final lap, Rosberg ran into Hamilton in an attempt to block him from winning. That’s not going to go over well at the family dinner table.
MLB (Major League Baseball)
Thank you. Atlanta Braves and Miami Marlins played the first ever regular season game on a military base yesterday at Fort Bragg in North Carolina. Marlins beat Braves in front of over 12,500 military personnel. The stadium, which was constructed for the game, will be converted postgame into a multipurpose recreational facility to be used by servicemen and their families.
No class. Tickets to the Fort Bragg game were awarded through a lottery only to active members of the military and their families. Somehow Zack Hampton, who’s notable for his ability to catch foul balls and home runs, made it into the stadium. “Ball Hawk,” as he’s known, went on to catch 11 balls during the game he wasn’t even supposed to be at. People found out and rightfully so, shamed the heck out of him on social media. Shamers included the 82nd Airborne Division which is headquartered on the base. Just plain wrong Ball Hawk.
NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing)
Daytona domination. Brad Keselowski controlled the race at Daytona (Florida) on Saturday night, leading 115 of 161 laps, to take home the victory.
Olympics
Runs in the family. Vashti Cunningham, daughter of former Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Randall Cunningham, will be representing the U.S. in the high jump. Cunningham, who just graduated from Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas, is foregoing college to turn pro and recognize her dream of competing in the Olympics. At age 18, she is the youngest U.S. track and field Olympian in 36 years.
Soccer
No fairy tale ending here. The Euro 2016 semifinals are set and unfortunately underdog Iceland did not move on. Their historic run in the tournament came to an end this weekend against France when they lost 5-2. Click here for the semifinals schedule.
Wimbledon
Ousted. American Sam Querrey stunned the tennis world by taking down #1 Novak Djokovic on Saturday. Djokovic had won the previous four major tournaments.
Williams win. Looking to keep her title, Wimbledon defending champion Serena Williams won her 300th grand slam match at the tournament this weekend.
Overtime
In a “sport” that’s both painful and nauseating to watch, today marks the 100th anniversary of the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest. (12 pm EST on ESPN). Joey Chestnut is looking to regain his title after a loss last year to Matt Stonie. On the women’s side, Miki “The Black Widow” Sudo looks to win her third consecutive title.
Sideline stat
The goal of the contest, which is held in Coney Island, is to eat as many hot dogs (buns too) as possible in 10 minutes. Last year’s winner Matt Stonie ate 62 hot dogs. Stonie also holds other eating records including 200 Peeps in five minutes and 14.5 pounds of birthday cake in eight minutes. Don’t try this at home.
Coaches’ Corner
The field of hot dog eaters is comprised of 20 professional eaters. There is one spot in the famed contest called the “Plimpton Seat,” which is designated for a member of the media. This year Dan “Barstool Big Cat” Katz of Bartsool Sports will be filling that spot. He must have drawn the short straw.