Joey Chestnut’s Reported Epic One-Liner May Have Saved the Hot Dog Eating Contest

The 16-time champion was not ready to give up the competition.

When news came out that the 2023 Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest in New York was going to be canceled on Tuesday due to lightning, the now-16-time champion Joey Chestnut apparently was not willing to let it happen without some pushback.

Chestnut was reportedly heard saying quite the one-liner about the status of the competition.

“I’m gonna get the rest of the guys out and we’re gonna do this f---er,” Chestnut reportedly said, according to Kenneth Heasley.

Whatever he told the rest of the competitors and the contest hosts must have worked because it went from being canceled to just being in a weather delay. In turn, the action started up at 2 p.m. ET. Chestnut went on to win his 16th Mustard Belt after consuming 62 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes. Runner-up Geoffrey Esper ate 49 hot dogs and buns.

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Hear me out, I’m not saying the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest is going to happen, but @joeyjaws just came out and said and I quote, “I’m gonna get the rest of the guys out and we’re gonna do this f***er.” #nathansfamous #ESPN pic.twitter.com/PhOTQGrKWv

— Kenneth Heasley (@HeasleyK13) July 4, 2023

Chestnut’s current world record is eating 76 hot dogs in 10 minutes, which he accomplished back in the 2021 competition.