Hot Dog Eating Contest a Sign of the Apocalypse?
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by user BlackandGreen
So, underdog (sorry, couldn't resist) Joey Chestnut won the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest on July 4th. By defeating six-time defending champion Takeru Kobayashi and setting a world record, Chestnut became a national hero. Right? ESPN wants us to think so.
As the four letter king of cable sports television grows in size and bombast, previously small and innocent traditions have become disgustingly overplayed. What was born in 1916 as a competition between four immigrants to decide who was most patriotic (the original winner ate only 13) is now a national television nightmare. Besides hosting live coverage of the event, ESPN spends the week prior to the "competition" breaking down each of the competitors and rivalries.
As obesity in the world's fattest nation continues to sky-rocket, we need look no further than this as an example of what is wrong with the United States. Gluttony is glorified on our television sets as two men prove their "talent" by eating over 60 hot dogs in twelve minutes. Are we really supposed to look at these people as athletes? ESPN seems to think so. Instead of spending time commenting on true competitions of physical fitness, it fills our heads with this filth.
Do we really expect our children to live healthy lives? Do we want to change this disturbing trend? We must begin by stopping these pathetic displays of face-stuffing. Instead, let us glorify the true athletes, those who spend their lives achieving physical fitness in order to win games and championships. Please, ESPN, stick to real sports. Covering a competition like this is beneath even you.
