Today’s annual Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest went on despite the wet and windy weather at New York City’s Coney Island… and reigning champ Joey Chestnut had a surprise for attendees.
In terms of competition, Joey Chestnut made an impressive showing (if you find competitive eating to be an impressive sport.) The multi-year title holder beat out fellow contenders with a horrifying 61 hot dogs consumed.
Reaction on Twitter was about what you would expect:
“The hot dogs were slow today”- Joey Chestnut. A real thing that a person said today. I LOVE America.
— Mike Golic Jr (@MGolicJR57) July 4, 2014
True American Hero Joey Chestnut was just given the greatest introduction in sports… pic.twitter.com/t82WcAPz5O
— RocketJump (@rocketjumptweet) July 4, 2014
However, the hot dog eating champ earning another Nathan’s title was only the second-most important thing to happen to him today:
JOEY CHESTNUT NOW OWNS THE HOT DOG RECORD AND MOST AMERICAN PROPOSAL RECORD! http://t.co/yb1R0oknI2 pic.twitter.com/sWDuIwVbjc
— SB Nation (@SBNation) July 4, 2014
Before the harrowing feat of chowing down, Joey Chestnut indeed got on one knee and engaged in one of those controversial very public proposal things, as longtime girlfriend Neslie Ricasa — who looked genuinely surprised, but happy — stood by.
Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest Champ Joey Chestnut Wins For Eighth Year – Hollywood Reporter http://t.co/v4ffknIFAy
— wilkins (@Taidon) July 4, 2014
awesome- joey chestnut just proposed to his girlfriend before nathan’s famous hot dog eating contest.
— donal logue (@donallogue) July 4, 2014
The double win for Chestnut and Ricasa is kind of cute, especially considering as it appears she has been helping him “train” for some time.
Over on Twitter last month, Chestnut tweeted this thankful tweet — but didn’t hint at the surprise proposal he was probably planning back then:
Late night practice. My girl cooking 72 dogs. @originalnathans pic.twitter.com/ogDGyo3b01
— Joey Chestnut (@joeyjaws) June 21, 2014
As is practically a yearly tradition in and of itself, Americans were both awed and horrified that competitive eating is even a sport:
Joey Chestnut won his 8th straight #NathansFamousHotdogEatingContest . Amazing. Not that he won. That he’s still alive after 8 years of this.
— Chris Seifert (@TheChrisSeifert) July 4, 2014
Ultimately, Joey Chestnut only edged out his closest competition by a narrow two hot dogs in the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating showdown — but still managed to close out the competition and earn his eighth title belt. Think his line of work is hard for a potential spouse to swallow? Reportedly, Ricasa too is a competitive eater.
[Image: Joey Chestnut, Twitter]
