DAILY DIRT: Legendary Joey Chestnut proves he’s still The Man by devouring 83 hot dogs — and buns — in 10 minutes

Down goes Kobyashi! … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 1,049 of The Daily Dirt.

1. Long live the king!

Joey Chestnut, the unquestioned greatest Major League Eater (MLE) to ever devour a (hot) dog, has added another star to his culinary crown.

In an epic matchup against longtime MLE rival Takeru Kobayashi, the 40-year-old Chestnut has again proven his hot dog-eating supremacy. The 16-time Nathan’s hot dog eating champ out-ate his rival on Labor Day, chowing down 83 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes to beat his own world record and defeat Kobayashi once and for all.

The matchup took place at the head-to-head “Unfinished Beef” competition, which was broadcast by Netflix. The two had not competed against each other since 2009, but Chestnut has once again cemented his legacy. 

Kobayashi, 46, put up a valiant effort, setting a new personal record, but his 66 hot dogs could not hold up to Chestnut. 

“It’s amazing,” Chestnut told CNN. “I’ve been trying to hit 80 hot dogs for years and without Kobayashi I was never able to do it. He drives me. We were not always nice to each other. … We’ve pushed each other to be our best.”

With the victory, Chestnut earned $100,000 in prize money, a hot-dog shaped trophy and a World Wrestling Entertainment-designed championship title belt.

“I feel like I did everything I could,” Kobayashi said.

Over the last two decades, Chestnut and Kobayashi have been the most famous names in the world of competitive eating. The Japanese sensation burst onto the scene in 2001, winning the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog eating contest with a then-record 50 hot dogs and buns — the first of his six consecutive victories on Coney Island. In 2007, Chestnut came onto the scene, toppling Kobayashi with a then-record 66 hot dogs and buns in 12 minutes. 

The two remain the only men’s competitors to win the event more than four times — Kobayashi with six and Chestnut with 16. The two haven’t competed against each other in competitive eating’s most famous event since 2009, after Kobayashi wouldn’t sign an exclusive deal with Major League Eating; he hasn’t competed in the 4th of July competition since. This year, Chestnut missed an opportunity at a 17th Mustard Belt after signing a deal with another organization.

2. Did you know (Part 112)

• That former ESPN sports anchor Kenny Mayne is now working with runfreely.org, an organization that provides financial support to veterans who have limb-salvage conditions and are trying to avoid amputation. Mayne was at ESPN from 1994-2021.
• That Glenn Close was chosen over Kirstie Alley for the lead role in “Fatal Attraction”.
• That Paul Rudd’s role in “Clueless” was originally meant for Ben Affleck.
• That Jamie Foxx was the first choice for the Rod Tidwell role that went to Cuba Gooding Jr. in “Jerry Maguire”.
• Speaking of “Jerry Maguire,” Tom Hanks was the original choice to play the lead role instead of Tom Cruise.

3. Here’s my top 10 NFL clubs heading into this weekend’s opening round of games:

• 1. Baltimore (13-4 in 2023): The team without any significant weakness?
• 2. Kansas City (11-6): It’s hard to believe, but Patrick Mahomes is still only 28 years old.
• 3. Houston Texans (10-7): C.J. Stroud-to-Stefon Diggs. Wow. The possibilities.
• 4. Detroit Lions (12-5): Lions coach Dan Campbell once asked to have a pet Lion (yes, a real lion) at the team’s practices. I love this guy.
• 5. San Francisco 49ers (12-5): If there is a major disappointment this year, I think it might be the 49ers. Quarterback Brock Purdy is not the next Joe Montana.
• 6. Cleveland Browns (11-6): Running back Nick Chubb returns week five. Hopefully, overpaid quarterback Deshaun Watson is ready for week one.
• 7. Buffalo (11-6): Don’t worry, the Bills will find a way to implode at some point.
• 8. Dallas (12-5): At what juncture will the season fall apart — again?
• 9. Philadelphia (11-6): Those old-school Kelly green jerseys are still the absolute best ever.
• 10. Green Bay (9-8): The Pack will be decent, but don’t expect any trip to the Super Bowl.

Steve Thought O’ The Day — Daily Dirt for Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024

FYI for all followers of Major League Eating: Chestnut will be appearing during the Cincinnati Bengals’ Sunday halftime show in a bratwurst-eating contest.