Tag: Fourth Of July

Fans get Jackie Young’s autograph after failing ‘last couple games’

Persistence pays off.

Former Notre Dame guard [autotag]Jackie Young[/autotag] is playing the best basketball of her life with the Las Vegas Aces. That means people want a piece of her, particularly her autograph. In fact, that means so many people that not everyone succeeds at it on a given night.

That finally changed for one persistent family during the Aces’ Fourth of July victory over the Washington Mystics. Mike Dixon of Vegas Sports Today captured the moment Young signed the autographs and briefly asked them about it afterwards:

A quick look at the Aces’ schedule indicates that a week-and-a-half passed recently between home games, so this family had to wait quite a bit after their initial failures. But things always have a way of working out, don’t they?

Young is averaging career highs of 18.8 points, 4.6 rebounds and 5.9 assists a game. She will compete for the U.S. in the Paris Olympics alongside fellow former Irish standout [autotag]Jewell Loyd[/autotag].

Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Geoffrey on Twitter: @gfclark89

Joey Chestnut not officially banned from 2024 Nathan’s hot dog contest, despite reports

Joey Chestnut has put MLE in a real pickle, is being a total weenie.

Is it possible to celebrate America without the greatest athlete of all time front and center? This may be the future of our nation thanks to a …(sigh) beef between hot dog eating GOAT Joey Chestnut and Major League Eating (MLE).

Early reports from the New York Post suggested the MLE had banned Chestnut from participating in this year’s Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest — i.e. the event that kicks off your Independence Day with gurgitory greatness. This would be a massive deal.

Chestnut has ascended beyond Michael Jordan status, a champion with no rival. He’s taken home the mustard yellow belt 16 of the last 17 years, emerging as the beef-stained face of competitive eating by hammering down 60 to 70 hot dogs in a 10 minute span and allowing the world to see the limits of peak human performance.

The reason for the alleged ban? Chestnut’s partnership with Impossible Foods, the plant-based meat replacement that made the legendary athlete spokesman for its new vegan hot dogs. Per reports, Chestnut refused to eat the classic Nathan’s offerings and instead wanted to swap in his Impossible franks instead — a trade that could create a clear imbalance between the defending champion and the rest of the field.

Per the New York Post, MLE representatives addressed the issue in a statement:

We are devastated to learn that Joey Chestnut has chosen to represent a rival brand that sells plant-based hot dogs rather than competing in the 2024 Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest

…

For nearly two decades we have worked under the same basic hot dog exclusivity provisions. However, it seems that Joey and his managers have prioritized a new partnership with a different brand over our long-time relationship.

Joey Chestnut is an American hero. We would love nothing more than to have him at the Nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest. We hope he returns when he is not representing a rival brand.

Later, however, MLE executive Richard Shea — brother to the man behind the most electrifying introductions in pro sports — refuted those statements.

Also brought to light in the Post’s report? The fact Chestnut made $200,000 per Nathan’s appearance before even getting to his official winnings ($10,000 for each belt). MLE reportedly offered to bump that in a four-year, $1.2 million contract offer, but was rebuffed by Chestnut’s partnership with Impossible.

This wouldn’t be the first high profile conflict to mar the Fourth of July’s greatest spectacle. Takeru Kobayashi’s refusal to sign an exclusive contract with the league kept the six-time champion out of the competition starting in 2010. Losing Chestnut would open the door for Geoffrey Esper and Patrick Bertoletti to break his string of victories.

There’s still time for the two sides to reach a compromise. We’ll see if MLE caves to the demands of its biggest star or if, somehow, we’ll have an Independence Day without Joey Chestnut’s bun-splattered greatness for the first time in two decades.

Why Kobayashi no longer competes in the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest

Kobayashi hasn’t competed in the annual Fourth of July contest since 2009.

NOTE: This post is from 2022.

Once a staple of the annual Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest — from his record-setting debut in 2001 until his final competition over a decade ago —  Takeru Kobayashi has since faded from the consciousness of fans of the event (or people who watch because what else is on TV?).

It’s easy to assume that someone who has held over a dozen competitive eating records and once won the Nathan’s contest six consecutive times simply got tired of shoving damp buns and franks down his throat and that’s why he hasn’t participated for so long. But his absence from the contest since 2010 is actually a lot deeper.

According to a New York Times report, Kobayashi had a dispute with Major League Eating (MLE), the sanctioning body of the Nathan’s Famous contest and others, over the exclusivity of its contracts. They reportedly restricted MLE signees from earning money outside of MLE and competing in non-MLE events, and gave MLE “exclusive representative” rights to negotiate revenue opportunities — of which it would earn 20% — on behalf of its performers.

Kobayashi’s refusal to sign the contract in 2010 resulted in his not being able to participate in MLE contests, including the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July contest.

That didn’t stop him from showing up as a spectator in 2010, but that’s when things really got real. Apparently spurred by chants from those in attendance, Kobayashi jumped on stage, hoping officials would allow him to compete. Instead he was arrested, never to take a Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest stage again.

So there you have it. That’s why you haven’t seen or heard from Kobayashi for so long and probably shouldn’t expect to see him this Fourth of July. But hey, at least there’s still current world record holder Joey Chestnut to look forward to making you gag.

[listicle id=1047710]

Celebrate the Fourth of July at the country’s most beautiful places

Enjoy the great outdoors.

Fireworks, block parties, and barbecuing are essential Fourth of July activities for many communities throughout the United States. While nothing beats the feel-good fun of these traditional celebrations, sometimes outdoorsy folks want to shake up their holiday schedules. If you want to get active this Fourth of July, try going on an adventure at some of the country’s most beautiful places.

Outdoors Wire is no stranger to covering stunning destinations. In the U.S., there are seemingly endless hidden gems to explore. Kayakers can paddle across scenic rivers, hikers can trek through colorful canyons, and astronomers can gaze up at the stars. This Fourth of July, choose your own adventure with this round-up of 10 travel guides that show off America’s beauty.

Glacier National Park’s most mesmerizing sights explained in 8 photos

The best swimming holes in all 50 states

All 50 of the best state parks in the United States

Here are the top 7 sights to see at Grand Canyon National Park

8 natural wonders in the US that you’ve probably never heard of

These are 8 of the best places to go fishing in the United States

Stunning sights to see at Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve

10 luxurious US hot springs resorts you’ll really want to visit

Plan your Blue Ridge Parkway road trip around these 9 gorgeous spots

Explore the most breathtaking sights at New River Gorge National Park

The strange origins of Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest isn’t exactly the one that is advertised

The story’s origin is as confusing as the tradition itself.

The Fourth of July means a lot of things to a lot of different people, but for many, it is a holiday associated with eating hot dogs.

That is because Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest has become widely associated with Independence Day. Who isn’t entertained and mesmerized by legends like Joey Chestnut eating more than 70 hot dogs in ten minutes?

But the story’s origin is as confusing as the tradition itself.

The contest is said to have begun in 1916, the same year that Nathan Handwerker opened his iconic hot dog restaurant in Coney Island. More via Nathan’s Franks:

“Legend has it that on July 4, 1916, four immigrants gathered at the very first Nathan’s Famous hot dog stand in Coney Island and made eating contest history. As the story goes, they were competing to see who was the most patriotic. How did they determine the winner? With a hot dog-eating contest, of course!”

That sounds all fine and good, of course. However, that story is simply a “legend” and nothing more than that.

In fact, it is reportedly one that is fabricated by “press agents” hired by Nathan’s Famous Hot Dogs named Max Rosey and Mortimer Matz.

Here are more details from an article published in 2016, via The New York Times:

“[Rosey and Matz] also dreamed up the hot dog eating contest in the early 1970s, although they insisted, and the press gullibly reported, that they were reviving a tradition that dated to 1916 … More recently, their publicity protégés, George and Richard Shea, embellished the creation myth, attributing it to an argument between immigrants overheard by Nathan Handwerker on the Fourth of July, about who was the most patriotic American among them.”

In reality, the first records of the contest existing at all did not come until 1967 and 1972. There is no record of a winner during a competition held on July 4 until 1974.

The contest didn’t become an officially sanctioned event until 1997. That is when the Shea brothers, who took over publicity for Nathan’s in the mid-1990s, founded the International Federation of Competitive Eating (IFOCE) and Major League Eating (MLE).

No matter the origins, however, the contest’s popularity is undeniable.

Approximately 35,000 fans annually gather on Coney Island to watch the events in person and, per Nathan’s site, more than millions watch at home via the ESPN telecast.

[lawrence-related id=1047710,767445,2087853,2086934,1926399,1924618]

Seahawks QB Drew Lock stays classy after getting ripped by U.S. Open on Twitter

Seahawks Twitter was in the news over the holiday weekend for doing what it does best: embarassing decent, normal Seahawks fans all over the world.

Seahawks Twitter was in the news over the holiday weekend for doing what it does best: embarassing decent, normal Seahawks fans all over the world.

Responding to a tweet by the U.S. Open, one fan attempted to roast tennis by claiming it’s not a real sport, only to get dunked on by a Twitter intern who suggested he won’t enjoy watching Drew Lock play this year.

The conversation continued for some time, with Seahawks star D.K. Metcalf stopping in for an appearance at one point.

Yesterday Lock himself got into the game, but he kept it classy – wishing everyone a happy Fourth of July, especially the intern working for the U.S. Open.

A lot goes into playing quarterback well at this level and Lock still has work to do. At least he seems to be able to let the negative attention that comes with the job roll off his back.

[lawrence-related id=90305]

[vertical-gallery id=90749]

The strategic reason why Nathan’s Hot Dog eating contestants dunk the buns in water

Dunking the buns in water is gross, but there’s a point to it.

The Fourth of July means freedom, summer and — above all else — eating ridiculous amounts of grilled food. One of the mainstays of Independence Day is the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest where competitive eaters flock to Coney Island to consume gut-bursting numbers of hot dogs and buns.

You may have noticed something that ups the grossness of the entire production: the contestants will dunk the hot dog buns in water before shoving them down their gullets.

If you’re anything like me, the idea of consuming not just wet bread but soggy buns makes you want to immediately dry heave. But, there’s a point behind the madness.

By dousing the carb portion of the contest in water, it makes them easier to eat. The water is simply a lubricant to help get the buns down faster.

Makes sense, but still. Gross.

Miki Sodu ate 40 hot dogs and buns in the women’s competition, returning from her one-year absence (she was pregnant during the 2021 eat-off) with a vengeance.

The men eat at noon on ESPNNews.

[mm-video type=video id=01fkxaf7hfd402fd17mk playlist_id=none player_id=none image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01fkxaf7hfd402fd17mk/01fkxaf7hfd402fd17mk-4bb23460996fa7cfe7610d4ddac62b3d.jpg]

[listicle id=1047710]