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There perhaps is no competition more American than Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest, which happens every July 4. What can be better than watching grown men and women fill their faces with processed meat and bread, all while striking fear in the hearts of toilets everywhere? During this year’s event, roughly 35,000 fans gathered around Nathan’s famous original restaurant location on Coney Island to watch.
The event even garnered attention in the sports gambling world.
'You're not actually going to bet on a hot dog eating contest are you?'
Me: pic.twitter.com/5NvcJdaHC3
— br_betting (@br_betting) July 4, 2022
In case you didn’t know, Joey Chestnut is a bit of a legend at this contest. He’s a 15-time champion and holds the world record for 76 hot dogs eaten in 10 minutes. Texas A&M Barstool sums up his dominance pretty well.
My dad’s generation had Michael Jordan, my generation has Joey Chestnut pic.twitter.com/nhgByLxfsk
— Barstool Texas A&M (@BarstoolTexasAM) July 4, 2022
This year’s contest had an even more American element, one that’s been around long before hot dogs or fireworks or any July 4 festivities: protesting. During the competition, a protester (one of three) wearing a Darth Vader mask rushed the stage, bumped Chestnut out of his position and then held up a sign saying “Expose Smithfield Deathstar.” This was in reference to Nathan’s pork provider, Smithfield Foods, which has been called out for animal cruelty, pollution and unfair treatment of employees.
Chestnut quickly put the protester in a headlock and threw him to the ground with one arm, while holding a hot dog with the other, and also, of course, eating one.
Twitter went ape shit.
Joey Chestnut
Unfazed. pic.twitter.com/FDIpjB5VV6
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) July 4, 2022
Joey Chestnut: 63 dogs consumed, 1 neck snapped pic.twitter.com/rziV9ZYV6P
— Stephen Schoch (@bigdonkey47) July 4, 2022
“Joey Chestnut: 63 dogs consumed, 1 neck snapped,” wrote one user.
Hammering 46 hot dogs after choke slamming someone is peak athletic performance. https://t.co/y5Nby8jws1
— Certainly Not Collin (@collinfoodmaker) July 4, 2022
Joey Chesnut defending his crown on 4th of July while on crutches while beating up a protester mid competition will go down as one of the most athletic, most patriotic , most heroic performances in the history of not only only this country, but the world.
— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) July 4, 2022
“Joey Chesnut [sic] defending his crown on 4th of July while on crutches while beating up a protester mid competition will go down as one of the most athletic, most patriotic , most heroic performances in the history of not only only this country, but the world,” wrote @stoolpresidente.
Joey Chestnut just reached a new level of icon. Housing a glizzy while choking out a protestor is the most American thing you can do.
pic.twitter.com/4vUW6kX5H3— Ross Bolen (@WRBolen) July 4, 2022
Do not fuck with the GOAT pic.twitter.com/hZjP8BUKkm
— Big Cat (@BarstoolBigCat) July 4, 2022
Joey Chestnut choke-slamming a dude mid-competition and barely breaking stride is legitimately one of the most impressive athletic feats in human history. pic.twitter.com/gXzcXVaGRt
— Mike Stephens (@mikeystephens81) July 4, 2022
Joey Chestnut… DAWG pic.twitter.com/dNuDsSDuWB
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) July 4, 2022
But not everyone was on Chestnut’s side. Many were praising the protesters.
Activists disrupted #NathansHotDogEatingContest to protest animal cruelty at supplier Smithfield Foods. Thank you for exposing #SmithfieldsDeathstar ! #RightToRescue https://t.co/OiG9JMamep
— Cassie King (@cassie_dxe) July 4, 2022
Excellent work activists! Smithfield "Foods" is an inherently violent corporation towards animals, workers, and the environment! The press release is good, too! #StopSmithfield
— Rocky (he/him) (@mistergreensf) July 4, 2022
One user wrote: “Excellent work activists! Smithfield “Foods” is an inherently violent corporation towards animals, workers, and the environment!”
The chokehold is pretty funny but also the protester is right: Smithfield Foods is a nexus for animal-human cruelty and climate damage happy fourth everybody enjoy those Hot Dogs while you can https://t.co/zvuwQNytYK
— House made of heart, break it (@young_weather) July 4, 2022
The kid was protesting Smithfield Foods and their revolting treatment animals, but sure let’s celebrate competitive eating
— Sam (@Phichigan_) July 4, 2022
The stunt did raise awareness for the protester’s cause. Many graphic videos from the company’s farm also began surfacing on Twitter. Others, like Jacob Alpharad, instead summed up the national lack of celebratory spirit this year.
not really in a huge "lets celebrate america" mood rn
— jacob alpharad (@Alpharad) July 4, 2022
