Let’s be frank: we all love watching people shove food into their faces. Even better if said food is dunked into cups of water and Kool-Aid first and then the people try to eat the food as fast as possible. That’s why Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest is so terrific. Luckily, it looks like it will be on our televisions for a (foot-) long time to come.
Take That, Upton Sinclair: ESPN Extends Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest
Bill Hanstock is a writer, author and Emmy Award-winning producer. He began writing for SB Nation in 2011.
ESPN has officially announced that they will be televising the famous contest through at least 2017 (hat-tip to Joe Lucia at Awful Announcing). You can bet your buns that we’ll be watching every Fourth of July and taking in the spectacle with great relish.
It’s a great opportunity to catch up with the stars of the sport, like Joey Chestnut and Takeru Kobayashi. These guys aren’t your average Farmer John. They head fiercely into the Ballpark of competition without wearing a suit of Armour. They don’t need any protection from the Hebrew National Guard as they bravely face down plate after plate of delicious dogs. It doesn’t matter if it’s white hot or quite chili, they’ll be out there, doing their best for us.
These competitive eaters are no wieners; they’re battle-tested athletes and that’s why ESPN puts them on our televisions. When they get on a roll, watch out! For the next six years at least, we’ll be able to see which of these brave souls can cut the mustard. Thank you, brave women and men of Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest. And thank you ESPN, for having the onions to keep this fine show on the air.
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