Joey Chestnut is shaping up to be a “busy” Fourth of July this year, despite being excluded from the Nathan’s hot dog eating contest in Coney Island.
Instead, the competitive eater, who set a record by downing 76 hot dogs in 10 minutes during a 2021 competition, will be heading to an Army base in El Paso, Texas, to challenge soldiers to another hot dog-eating contest.
“That means a lot. [to be with them]” he said during an appearance on “Fox & Friends” on Independence Day.
Joey Chestnut to compete in 4th of July hot dog eating contest
Joey Chestnut was not allowed to compete in this year’s Coney Island competition. (AP Photo/Brittany Newman, File)
Champion told Lawrence Jones, Joey Jones and Kayleigh McEnany that she feels honored to be in the company of people who put service above self.
“It’s great to be part of a national Independence Day celebration, especially with people who are putting their lives on the line for their country. I was talking to a guy yesterday who just got back from Guantanamo,” he said. [and] The other guy was in Germany. They left their families behind and risked everything for us.”
The development has sparked plenty of drama after Chestnut was not allowed to take part in this year’s Nathan’s hot dog eating contest due to a sponsorship deal with Nathan’s rival Impossible Foods.
Joey Chestnut banned from 2024 Nathan’s hot dog eating contest due to affiliation with vegan wiener company
Joey Chestnut stuffs his mouth full of hot dogs during the men’s division of Nathan’s Famous July for the Hot Dog Eating Contest on July 4, 2019 in Coney Island, New York. (AP Photo/Sarah Steer)
But he is determined to move forward.
“I’m very happy to be invited back to Fort Bliss to dine with the Soldiers, eating hot dogs just like always … and celebrating the Fourth of July with great people,” he said of Thursday’s event.
Chestnut loves to compete, and even told “Fox & Friends” that the “bloating” and “tiredness” he gets from eating a lot of food energizes him.
Joey Chestnut breaks silence after learning he won’t be competing in 2024 hot dog eating contest
“It’s similar to how someone feels after running a marathon. They feel exhausted, but they still love the feeling,” he said.
“I’m really lucky because I love feeling bloated and exhausted and a little gross, but a lot of people don’t like that feeling… For me it’s a fun time.”
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