ESPN Gets Brutally Dragged After $4,000,000 Worth Joey Chestnut’s Win Discussed in the Same Breath as Serena Williams, Michael Jordan, LeBron James, and Other Sporting Greats’ Achievements
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The Fourth of July celebrations are incomplete without Nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest in New York. The likes of Takeru Kobayashi and Joey Chestnut elevated the stature of the competition. Kobayashi transcended the event by winning six consecutive titles from 2001 to 2006. However, he lost his crown to Joey Chestnut in 2007. It was the passing of a baton moment as Chestnut went on to win 15 of the 16 contests since 2007, thereby building a dynasty.
After claiming his 15th title at the Hot Dog eating competition, Chestnut grabbed all the headlines. In fact, ESPN went one step ahead and came up with a controversial question that infuriated some sports fans, particularly the tennis and NBA ones.
Twitterati express their mixed emotions to Chestnut’s GOAT claims with Serena Williams, Michael Jordan comparison
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ESPN’s question was seemingly sarcastic. However, some fans were furious as they assumed that the broadcasters were serious. During the live stream of the competition, ESPN asked its viewers, “Is Joey Chestnut an all-time athlete?” after the American successfully defended his title.
ESPN debates if hot dog-eating legend Joey Chestnut is an all-time athlete https://t.co/bzAaf7mAZ7 pic.twitter.com/csf7jL4Myv
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) July 4, 2023
It received a mixed bag of responses. Some were furious and denied it right away.
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— Renwick Hayfield (@MIZ9ER) July 4, 2023
The fans saw this as an opportunity to belittle ESPN.
Further evidence that ESPN is jumping the shark. https://t.co/8kWhQINO0W
— James (Bucky) Dent (@writingump) July 4, 2023
A Hot Dog eating competition being considered a sport was shocking for some fans.
Not every competition is a sport. https://t.co/cAK2WhGRRB
— McDermott/Beane – 2024 (@Shue_Box) July 4, 2023
A fan requested ESPN to refrain from making athlete lists, as he did not seem happy with some prior rankings.
Yes, debate it and figure out if you would rate him higher then the HORSE that ESPN put ahead of Walter Payton on a Top 50 athletes list. Please stop rating things and making lists @espn
— David S. (@sandogems) July 4, 2023
Fans of LeBron James were certainly not happy here.
I've just about divorced myself from @espn. Programming has never been more stale. Surprised they're not putting Chestnut's accomplishments up against Lebron's. Kellerman would have, but at least they let him go.
— PaulPrimo (@ppladow) July 4, 2023
A list of other all-time athletes was presented, which included Serena Williams, Michael Phelps and Michael Jordan.
Jim Brown, Jim Thorpe, Michael Jordan, Serena Williams, Carl Lewis, Pele, Wilma Rudolph, Simone Biles, Michael Phelps…
…Joey Chestnut. Sure, why not. https://t.co/kVw1L7UdVd
— #Free20 🍊 (@OttosGrove) July 4, 2023
Unsurprisingly, the restroom jokes popped up as they always do.
Only thing athletic about gorging oneself to capacity is the sprint to the rest room afterwards. 🏃🏃♂🏃♀
— Ken Roberts (@kr961) July 4, 2023
One of the fans suggested Chestnut to take care of his health instead.
No! He’s a glutton who should take care of his digestive health! 🤢 https://t.co/oGa3GUGsf7
— Louis Valverde (@therealValverde) July 4, 2023
There were fans who also played along with the sarcasm.
Who's left there to debate? They got rid of almost everyone.
— TheRealCBONE (@TheRealCBONE) July 4, 2023
“He isn’t an all time great athlete. He’s the greatest athlete of all time. How is this even a debate?” said a fan.
He isn’t an all time great athlete.
He’s the greatest athlete of all time. How is this even a debate?
— The Fall Guy (@FallGuySports) July 4, 2023
A certain user gave Chestnut the GOAT title.
He’s the GOAT https://t.co/XsWKJ170ou
— Florian Wirtz Enjoyer #BERHALTEROUT (@xab1ball) July 4, 2023
One of the users added more sarcasm to the tweet by calling Chestnut the only athlete to ever exist.
Joey Chesnut is the only athlete ever
— Goldilocks (@goldilocks_sos) July 4, 2023
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Well, it was certainly a sarcastic question from ESPN, but most of the fans used Twitter to express their anger.
Tennis has Serena Williams, NBA has LeBron James and Michael Jordan while Soccer has Lionel Messi. Similarly, competitive eating has been blessed with an entertainer like Joey Chestnut.
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Do you think ESPN’s debate was a valid one? Let us know in the comments.
Watch This Story –Venus Williams once chuckled at how mother Oracene was cruel with her and Serena Williams
Edited by:
Tony Thomas