Outlaw Wiener Gobbler to be Honored Despite Ban

It wasn't too long ago that the Kobayashi-Chestnut rivalry seemed poised to reach legendary status along the like of Ali-Frasier, Yankees-Red Sox, Celtics-Lakers.

But like any sport, competitive eating is a business, and when Japan's most decorated athlete refused to sign an exclusive contract, he was banned from competitive eating's marquee annual event, the 4th of July Coney Island hot dog eating contest.

Like a true champion, Kobayashi refuses to be deterred and will compete remotely vs the televised event at a New York City bar.

It's here that Jose Cuervo stepped up to the plate. From a release:

If the six-time champion can eat more hot dogs than the crowned winner at the Coney Island event this Fourth of July, thus making him the “would be” champion for his seventh title, Jose Cuervo has offered him an all expenses paid trip to its historic Tequila distillery, La Rojeña, located in the heart of Mexico’s Tequila region. In addition, Cuervo will immortalize him with a customized bottle of Especial Gold that dons his image on the label.

“Jose Cuervo is a legendary brand so we respect the legendary feats of others,” said Ami-Lynn Bakshi, Vice President Marketing, Jose Cuervo. “Put the red tape aside: if Kobayashi proves he is the world’s best hot dog eater, he deserves to be recognized as such. And who better to celebrate the achievements of the world’s best competitive eater than the world’s best-selling and oldest tequila?”

“While we wish Kobayashi well in his effort, we hope that he shares our commitment to responsible drinking and realizes adult beverages are meant to be enjoyed in moderation, unlike his eating spectacles ,” Bakshi continued. “To that end, win or lose we’ll want to buy him a celebratory shot of Jose Cuervo and we’ll pick up the taxi fare to ensure he gets home safely and responsibly.”

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Wing Bowl Changes Rules: Stay home Chestnut

Photo: SI

Leave it to an eating contest to worry about fair play.

Wing Bowl, Philadelphia's annual gluttonfest, the biggest celebration of heavage and cleavage since Rome's gladiator smackdowns, "the biggest annual promotion in radio in America," will be a local-amateurs-only event once again, WIP (610 AM) sports yakker Angelo Cataldi proclaimed this morning.

Where is the human interest story? Where is the drama? Where is the reason for casual observers to pay attention for that 'Rocky-like' underdog story. Which would be more interesting; watching a major league pitcher strike out Ryan Howard or watching the guy from your fast pitch team who works as an auto mechanic try and strike out Ryan Howard (trick question, they both could). If you take away the professional eater you take away the chance of the Joe-nobody taking his crown.

Personally, this turns wing bowl from a must-see event into...well..a bunch of fat bastards eating wings as fast as possible. If I want to see that I can stick around next time my wife hosts a purse party.

Eat the Clock: Competitive Eating on the Food Network?

THR reports that "the Food Network is getting into the competitive eating genre with a new series tentatively titled "Eat the Clock.""

I, for one, am a bit put-off by this concept. Competitive eating has no business on the Food Network (of which, for the record, I am a big fan), and vice versa.

The show "is described as a cross between an eating competition and "The Amazing Race." Two teams of contestants rush to various Los Angeles eateries and gorge themselves in face-stuffing challenges."

Isn't this a bleeding heart "What about the kids?" campaign waiting to happen. How could such a wholesome, responsible channel like Food Network stoop to such Fox/Spike-like depths?

Oh believe me, I'll watch it, albeit confusingly.

Couldn't they just stuff a fat sausage in Rachael Ray's mouth and be done with it?

Or how about Paula Dean vs. her two a-little-to-gay-for-each-other-for-my-viewing-comfort sons going head-to-heads?

You think portly Lagasse could take Bertoletti?

I do.

BAM!

Gather Around Gluttons

Better yet, let me come to you, you fat sonsofbitches.

It's coming. The end of the world is near.

Joke if you will about American kids being lazy, video game and Internet addicted overweight slobs.

It's one thing to entertain yourself via Madden rather than Pop Warner.

Look, I am an unapologetic fan of competitive eating. I love it. But when you choose to stuff your face on a Wii rather than in the kitchen, that's where I draw the line.

Get off the couch and eat you lazy, no good bastards.

Joey Chestnut, Crazy Legs Conte, Kobayashi and the rest of your MLE heroes are now featured on "Major League Eating: The Game" On Wii.

What is this world coming to.

See screen shots, videos and eater profiles here.

Ren is Jealous

That Golic gets to compete with the best.

This morning on Mike and Mike, as Ren and I were both getting ready for the daily grind, we overheard an interesting tidbit about competitive eating. Turns out Golic will be going head to head with 3 of the top competitors in a wing eating contest on air tomorrow, his penance for losing to Greeny in the Mike and Mike bracket wager.

Watch out Chestnut, he's coming after you next.

HHR's Sportsman of the Year Joins Yardbarker

You can view his joint Yardbarker blog with fellow eater Pat Bertoletti here.

Joey Chestnut Named HHR's 2007 Sportsman of the Year (HHR, 12/12/07)

Wing Bowl & Wingette Champions Crowned

HHR Sportsman of the Year Joey Chestnut beat out 5-Time Wing Bowl Champion and the "Real Bill Simmons" El Wingador for this year's crown.

Alejandro A. Alvarez / Philadelphia Daily News

More notably, Jillian won the 2008 Wingette of the Year.

Click here for the finalists' video at Philly.com

Keep an eye out around the :32 second mark for what appears to be a blatant rip of the HHR Cup.

NSFW: Whopper Freak Out

This has absolutely nothing to do with sports unless you are training for the IFOCE, but it's too damn funny not to share with our faithful readers.

The REAL Bill Simmons

The REAL Bill Simmons, Wing Bowl legend, El Wingador.
(photo: philadelphiaweekly.com)

The Sports Guy isn't the only Bill Simmons who has a firm grasp on his trade as an innovator and pioneer. Bill "El Wingador" Simmons is what you what call a legend in his own right. And his talent is arguably as impressive as his ESPN counterpart.

On Feb. 1 , 2008 at 6:00 am, the greatest eaters in the world will descend upon the Wachovia Center for WIP's Wing Bowl 16, rumored to be the last of the legendary, annual Philadelphia gluttonous extravaganza.

This year's event will pit 5-time Wing Bowl champ El Wingador against reigning champ, and HHR Sportsman of the Year, Joey Chestnut.

Wing Bowl seems to bring out the best eaters each and every year, and in all likelihood is as responsible for "legitimizing" the mainstream "appeal" of competitive eating as much as the famed Coney Island 4th of July Nathan's Hog Dog eating contest.

For an impressive, entertaining and eye-opening look at the unbelievable world of competitive eating, Eat This Book.

For an even more impressive, entertaining and eye-opening look at the unbelievable world of competitive eating, shell out $5, head to the City of Brotherly Love, get drunk at dusk and get your ass into the Wachovia Center to ogle at the Wingettes , and have yourself a blast.

In the meantime, check out some of the pre-game debauchery here.

Joey Chestnut Named HHR's 2007 Sportsman of the Year

In the week we marked the 66th Anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, it seems fitting that HuggingHaroldReynolds announces its 2007 Sportsman of the Year, Joseph Christian "Jaws" Chestnut, who in July consumed 66 HDBs (hot dogs and buns) in 12 minutes, setting a new world record at the 92nd Annual Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest, beating six-time defending champion Takeru "Tsunami" Kobayashi.

The victory in Coney Island was not just a victory for the well-decorated Chestnut, but also a victory for the America, bringing the coveted yellow mustard belt back Stateside where it rightfully belongs.

"This title's been held by Kobayashi for six years, so it's about time it came home," said Chestnut, holding an American flag in his arms.

Chestnut, the world record holder for consuming sandwiches, waffles, grilled cheese sandwiches, pork ribs, horseshoe sandwiches, gyoza, pulled pork, chicken wings, asparagus, chili, hot dogs and Krystal hamburgers, can add one more accolade to his growing legend, as recipient of the Inaugural HHR Sportsman of the Year.