Hot Dog King Teases Eating Showdown vs. Patriots Legend Rob Gronkowski

As he prepares to protect his Hot Dog Eating Contest title in Brooklyn, Joey Chestnut is looking for a new challenge against former New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski.

Only in America. And only on Fourth of July.

Rob Gronkowski is used to handling New York-based competition. After all, he played a major role in the New England Patriots' success against the New York Jets. Is he ready to literally take a bite out of a new game?

Tuesday's Independence Day holiday is no day off for Chestnut, who is preparing to protect his title at the Nathan's Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest. Another win for Chestnut would be his eighth in a row and his 16th overall, which would expand his sizeable record at the contest, which has been held annually on Brooklyn's Coney Island since 1972.

With a resume like that, it's easy to see why Chestnut is looking for a new challenge. In an interview with TMZ Sports, he's turning to another championship organization, the New England Patriots.

Chestnut said that Gronkowski and his four brothers (Gordie, Dan, Chris, and Glenn) have reached out to him for some sort of eating competition, one that he would be more than happy to accept.

"The Gronkowski brothers, they reached out," Chestnut said. "That might even be better, eating against the Gronk brothers, the Gronk clan. Those guys are beasts and maybe we can make that happen. Those are big boys. That would be fun. I think that's going to happen."

Chestnut said prior to last year's competition, which saw him down 63 hot dogs (his progress interrupted by a protestor whom he quickly subdued) that he was inspired by Tom Brady and would mind engaging him in a similar competition, even if Brady's famed TB12 diet, which he continues to adhere to in retirement, would prevent him from indulging in a few wieners. 

Gronkowski, on the other hand, well-known for an adventurous social life that never prevented him from showing up on Sundays, would perhaps be a dangerous contender for Chestnut's culinary, consuming prowess. But, much like how Gronkowski has re-written the NFL record book for tight ends, Chestnut has left his mark on the snacking world that could be hard for the boisterous clan to beat, even at the height of their powers.

Chestnut set the world record on Coney Island in 2021 by consuming 76 hot dogs in 10 minutes. That was just the latest entry into his personal world record book, as last year saw him also set the all-time mark for chicken fingers (44 in five minutes) and popcorn (32 servings at 24 ounces in eight minutes).  

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Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags

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