Devouring Victory: Fun Facts About The Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest
The American tradition that makes us want to puke.
Author: Bri Talmadge
1. The hot dog eating contest is a tale as old as…1916. Picture this: four immigrants at Nathan's hot dog stand in Coney Island on July 4, each with a burning desire to prove their patriotism. How did they come to settle this debate? Obviously, with a hotdog eating contest. To this day, no one knows who scarfed down victory that day!
2. In 2003, NFL (National Football League) legend William "The Refrigerator" Perry stepped up to the plate at the world-famous hot dog contest. He aced the qualifiers, devouring 12 hot, but when the game day arrived, after just four hot dogs in five minutes, he threw in the mustard-covered towel.
3. Ever wonder how the pros turn hot dog eating so fast? Pro eaters have a secret playbook for slamming down the most hot dogs. They've got a top-secret move: the infamous "dunking" technique. Just imagine hot dog buns dipped in the water, getting squeezed dry like they survived a spin cycle, and disappearing faster than socks in a dryer. You could say the hot dog eating contest is a mixture of culinary magic meeting laundry day, except no clean clothes, just clean plates.
4. The Major League Eating (MLE) has strict contest rules that competitors must follow. Condiments are allowed but are a decoration, as competitors do not use them. Penalty cards are on standby for any misconduct, including the dreaded regurgitation offense and messy eating. But here is a twist: partially eaten hot dogs? They still count! Even if you're still chewing as the final buzzer sounds.
MLE hosts more than just the hot dog eating contest. Imagine eating as many hard-boiled eggs, shrimp cocktails or fudge as you can.
5. Winners of the hot dog-eating championship don't mess around. They're like mustard on a bun; they stick to their record-breaking ways. The reigning champion, Joey Chestnut, inhaled 76 hot dogs like a light snack in 2021, keeping his world record intact. Meanwhile, three-time women's champ Sonya "The Black Widow," Thomas casually skips practice like a boss.
Chestnut won’t be participating in the Coney Island contest this year due to his partnership with Impossible Foods, which has led him to be considered a competitor of Nathan’s; he will be competing against soldiers in Fort Bliss in a hot dog eating contest. In the five-minute contest, as opposed to ten minutes, four Army soldiers will have to eat more than Chestnut to win the contest.
6. The victor of Nathan's hot dog eating contest receives $10,000 but also struts away with a bejeweled mustard yellow belt. And for the ladies, a dazzling pink bejeweled belt. If that doesn't mustard up your enthusiasm for the contest, relish the thought of what will.
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Weekend Preview: Simone Biles, Grimace Magic + Euro Cup Surprises
A welcome conversation that’s not about the presidential debate
Good morning, sunshine! It's Friday, June 28th, and we're heading into the last weekend of June, rolling right into the 4th of July holiday. Let's dive into some key conversation starters for your weekend ahead.
Olympic Gymnastics Trials: Simone Biles Shines Again
We're in the midst of the US Olympic team trials for gymnastics, and all eyes are on Simone Biles. As the oldest entrant, she's still at the top of her game. She's among the 20 men and 16 women vying for Olympic berths this weekend. While Simone is a near-lock, it’ll be exciting to see who joins her on the team in Paris. The trials run through June 30th.
Grimace Fever Hits New York
In an unexpected twist, Grimace from McDonald's has become the hero of the season! Since throwing out the first pitch at a New York Mets game two weeks ago, the Mets have put together an impressive 11-2 record. Fans are embracing the Grimace craze, dressing up like him and even chugging beer in his honor. The Empire State Building even went purple for his birthday.
Euro Cup Knockout Stage: Historic Moments
The Euro Cup's single-elimination knockout stage (soccer) is here, bringing historic moments. Slovenia qualified for the knockout stage for the first time, and Georgia, in their first Euros, beat Portugal to advance. Austria won their group for the first time ever and powerhouses wild ride.
NBA Draft: LeBron's Dream Comes True
LeBron James is set to fulfill his dream of playing with his son in the NBA (National Basketball Association). Bronny James was drafted by the Lakers with the 55th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. If they take the court together, it will be the first time a father and son have played together in NBA history.
From Golf Galaxy Employee to PGA Tour: Nick Bienz’s Big Break
Nick Bienz, a Golf Galaxy employee who never played in a PGA Tour-sanctioned event, qualified for the Rocket Mortgage Classic. After drinking three beers to calm his nerves before a playoff, he's now set to play in a PGA Tour event. Talk about a Cinderella story, if Cinderella drank beer.
Tour de France
The Tour de France (cycling) kicks off on Saturday in Florence, Italy. This year’s route is unusual, starting in Italy for the first time to honor 100 years since the first Italian victory in the Tour. The 2024 Summer Olympics also means the tour won’t finish in Paris for the first time in its history. It’s been three years since an American has won a stage at the Tour and Neilson Powelss, Matteo Jorgenson and Sean Quinn are three Americans who hope to break that streak.
NHL Draft at the Sphere in Las vegas
The NHL Draft (National Hockey League) starts today in Las Vegas at the Sphere. This unique venue will host a one-of-a-kind event, with real-time incorporation into the exosphere. The San Jose Sharks have the No. 1 pick, and it’s expected they will take Macklin Celebrini from Boston University. Austin Moline, a Vegas local, hopes to hear his name called in his hometown. If he does, he’ll be the first person drafted into the NHL from Las Vegas.
That’s your weekend sports roundup! For more updates, visit lastnightsgame.com or follow us on social. Have a fantastic weekend!
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Monday Minute: Sha’Carri’s Triumph, Kelce's Debut + Stanley Cup Thrills
We see you, Travis Kelce.
With the 4th of July right around the corner, we’ve got some great conversation starters to help you connect with your coworkers, friends, and even the stranger next to you on the plane. Let’s dive into some quick points that are sure to spark interest.
Olympics Alert: Sha’Carri Richardson's Comeback!
Sha’Carri Richardson has secured her spot for her first-ever Olympics! After missing the last Olympics due to a failed drug test, she triumphantly returned over the weekend, celebrating with an emotional embrace with her grandmother. This victory is particularly significant as track and field will now offer prize money at the Summer Olympics—$50,000 for a gold medal, in addition to the rewards from their home countries. Check out this heartwarming moment on our Instagram, where we post smile-worthy sports highlights every Sunday.
Travis Kelce Shares the stage at Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour
Yes, you read that right! Travis Kelce made a surprising debut not on the football field but on Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour stage. Sporting a black and white tuxedo and top hat, Kelce danced beside Swift and her dancers, even carrying her at one point. His appearance during a musical interlude had the crowd erupting in cheers.
Stanley Cup Finals: Game 7 Showdown Tonight
The Stanley Cup Finals have reached a thrilling Game 7. The Florida Panthers initially led the series 3-0 against the Edmonton Oilers, but the Oilers made an epic comeback, winning three straight games. Tonight, they face off in a winner-take-all game in Florida. If the Oilers win, they’ll be the first team to return from a 3-0 deficit since the Detroit Red Wings in 1942, potentially ending Canada’s Stanley Cup drought since 1993.
College World Series: Decisive Game 3 Tonight
It’s a historic night for college baseball as Tennessee and Texas A&M vie for their first-ever baseball title. Game 3 of the College World Series kicks off at 7 PM Eastern on ESPN. Keep an eye out for a possible record-breaking attendance.
Soccer Fever: Euro Cup and Copa America Highlights
Two major soccer tournaments are in full swing. In the Euro Cup, the leading scorer is… the own goal! Teams have been scoring on themselves, making own goals a significant trend. Turkey’s Samet Akaydin’s own goal helped Portugal secure a 3-0 victory and move into the knockout stages.
In Copa America, Christian Pulisic scored just three minutes into Team USA’s first game against Bolivia, which they won 3-0. This goal marks Pulisic’s entry into the exclusive 30-goal club for the US men’s national team, joining Team USA legends like Clint Dempsey and Landon Donovan.
Stay Tuned for Wimbledon Updates!
Don’t miss our Wednesday episode, where we’ll dive into all things Wimbledon—the grand tennis tournament of the summer. Tune in wherever you get your podcasts, and for more sports updates, visit us at lastnightsgame.com.
Have a fantastic week ahead!
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