The Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest is a staple of July 4th and Joey Chestnut is the king of hot dog eating. The 14-time champ, Chestnut has eaten over a thousand hot dogs during this competition and won every Contest (other than 2015) since 2007.
For 2022, Chestnut will be playing hurt as he showed up to Coney Island on crutches with a cast on his right foot. Chestnut revealed that he has a ruptured tendon but will still be competing. Many athletes have played hurt but this will be on another level. Ignore the fact that Chestnut has an injury to his leg and that he won’t really need the lower half of his body to eat hot dogs, this is the dedication of a warrior who will power through in an attempt to win his 15th mustard-yellow belt.
.@joeyjaws makes his entrance for a chance at a 15th title 💪 pic.twitter.com/Cfa8ycG6SL
— ESPN (@espn) July 4, 2022
Many on social media have compared Chestnut’s upcoming gallant effort to another sports legend who put in a championship winning performance despite playing hurt.
Joey Chestnut. 7/1/2022: “I’m not going to be eating with my leg.”
That’s champ talk, people. https://t.co/063ob8LJB4
— Major League Eating (@eatingcontest) July 3, 2022
Joey Chestnut eating hot dogs on one leg > MJ Flu game pic.twitter.com/SGiN7HbOYF
— Shooter McGavin (@ShooterMcGavin_) July 4, 2022
JOEY CHESTNUT FLU GAME THIS YEAR https://t.co/9TWVe1eyHZ
— Ellis Pemrick (@ellis_pemrick20) July 3, 2022
We are about to see Joey Chestnut's "Flu Game" 😤 pic.twitter.com/6C85gZna7B
— Pickswise (@Pickswise) July 4, 2022
Joey Chestnut Flu game on the way 😤
He's still the -2400 FAVORITE to win today… pic.twitter.com/HFaWQex5GJ
— FanDuel Sportsbook (@FDSportsbook) July 4, 2022
Joey Chestnut’s flu game today 😧. American hero pic.twitter.com/h6tH34qOfa
— OddsStack (@OddsStack) July 4, 2022
The Joey Chestnut flu game will be one for the books https://t.co/d0w88mxpIJ
— bryan (@ShowtimeKnicks) July 3, 2022
[Photo: @espn]
About Phillip Bupp
Producer/editor of the Awful Announcing Podcast and Short and to the Point. News editor for The Comeback and Awful Announcing. Highlight consultant for Major League Soccer as well as a freelance writer for hire. Opinions are my own but feel free to agree with them.
Follow me on Twitter and Instagram @phillipbupp