John, you nailed it. I have been thinking the exact same thing all morning. Joey is not an athlete. A performer for sure. Good timely article. And in my experience the handshake test is spot on.
I thought a 2nd maple bar with coffee in the morning was a big deal...after reading that list of accomplishments I may never eat a hard-boiled egg again let alone a big Mac
Hemingway said that after two too many single malts. Anyone who thinks torturing an animal in front of thousands of screaming people (can't call them fans) is drunk, nuts or both.
Ahh, single malts, "those were the days, my friends; we thought they'd never end, we'd drink and dance the night away". Been thirty eight years ago for me.
Anyone here been watching all that cage fighting on ESPN? I have not, except for the unavoidable promos, but it is a helluva lot more savage than the bull ring.
Too soon to tell but would expect dementia to start showing up around 40-45 and severe handicap or death anytime around or after 50 yrs of age. I have no argument or opposition to your feelings about the bulls, but in either case it's a no win deal. My issue is condemning cultures of which we have no knowledge or experience. That's why I qualified my initial comment by asking if anyone had ever seen a bull fight. Plus I was probably standing up for my folk hero Hemingway. No big deal, just exchanging points of view. Thanks for your thoughts. Charlie
Typical of 'Papa'--the only real "sports" are where there is the risk of severe injury or death. If he'd lived longer he might have included pro football in his list.
Depends on how one defines an athlete. Probably not in the terms we normally think of. But the successes he has had and the career he had built, I raise this hot dog to him and say well done!
I was at PIR that day riding with Bourdais. I’d driven competitively so the speed wasn’t what got my attention. It was the braking and the timing and, most importantly, the g forces. I left the track wondering how their bodies could withstand that kind of pressure for long periods of time.
Without a doubt, high performance drivers are highly trained athletes. Mr. Chestnut is something else. I’m just not sure what.
He’s no athlete. He’s simply a guy who found a way to turn a disgusting thing into a living. I hope that he’s got some good financial planners so when this inevitably ends he will have something to fall back on.
Not my favorite topic but the comments are the best. I love this community you’ve created John.
Performer, yes. Athlete, no. Many performers spend a lifetime training for their craft and no one claims, say, that a standup comedian is an athlete. Nor, in my younger days when I drank and ate to extreme excess, did a sober wife standing off to the side exclaim, "Oh yeah, baby, you're an athlete now!"
Another clever, entertaining and thought-provoking piece of writing. This one alone is worth $6.99, but please don’t think about taking the rest of the month off ;)
I don't know. But I bet his ability to endure pain signals that the body sends and continue to push on despite his body telling him to quit exceeds the ability of all of us who are leaving comments. That attribute is certainly is a key component of being a successful athlete, regardless of how we choose to categorize him.
Yah. Can't get past a weak handshake. Sad to hear about the dead fish he put in your hand.
That said, he's a National Treasure. An American Icon. It's fun.
But he's no more an athlete than the drikin' buddies I see on the Professional Cornhole Tour. Yes, that's a thing.
It's awesome and the guy deserves all the money and accolades he gets. Fitting it was Joey who insisted the contest go on, despite calls to cancel it due to weather.
Bobby Dillon, I hear, had the same handshake. I agree with Coach on his approach for processing this. When asked for an autograph, Bill Russell would warmly say " I can't do that, but I would like to shake your hand", then, as Dan Jenkins would write in "Limousine", you would "put it in the vise" with Bill Russell.
More important, does Joey think Joey is an athlete? Me? I think he has some kind of savant-like mo Jo he recalls when needed. In the middle of the hot dogs, he also managed to collar an eco-demonstrator, almost looking like he was an MMA athlete at the same time .
Thanks for a timely article about an amazingly unexciting guy, who manages to make interviews seem like a royal pain.
John, I'm totally fine with this column 😎🤣
You absolutely Clinched it, by quoting THE Mike Leach!!
It fit so well.
Leach was and still is one of if not the most intelligent football coach in the NCAA.
John, you nailed it. I have been thinking the exact same thing all morning. Joey is not an athlete. A performer for sure. Good timely article. And in my experience the handshake test is spot on.
I always feel sick after watching someone eat so much.
Yep me too
Ditto
I thought a 2nd maple bar with coffee in the morning was a big deal...after reading that list of accomplishments I may never eat a hard-boiled egg again let alone a big Mac
How fast do you eat those maple bars?
Very slowly but then I'm old and choose to enjoy the intake...
“There are only three sports: bullfighting, motor racing, and mountaineering; all the rest are merely games,” Ernest Hemingway once wrote
‘nuff said 🏁
GO DAWGS
Hemingway said that after two too many single malts. Anyone who thinks torturing an animal in front of thousands of screaming people (can't call them fans) is drunk, nuts or both.
He knew the audience
Unfortunately, you are likely right.
It's primitive and disgusting. I always root for the bull.
And Europeans think they're so sophisticated?
Single malts + decades = changed perspective
GO DAWGS
Ahh, single malts, "those were the days, my friends; we thought they'd never end, we'd drink and dance the night away". Been thirty eight years ago for me.
10 here, your 38 is my high bar.
One day at a time, my brother. Next thing you know you have 'em racked up, but are also a very old (but wiser) guy. Play on, Charlie
Anyone here been watching all that cage fighting on ESPN? I have not, except for the unavoidable promos, but it is a helluva lot more savage than the bull ring.
I agree Charles that cage fighting is despicable, however I agree with Eric, no animals die and both cage fighters make a choice.
No people or animals die in a cage fight.
Once in a while.
The bulls die approximately 100% of the time in a bull fight.
Too soon to tell but would expect dementia to start showing up around 40-45 and severe handicap or death anytime around or after 50 yrs of age. I have no argument or opposition to your feelings about the bulls, but in either case it's a no win deal. My issue is condemning cultures of which we have no knowledge or experience. That's why I qualified my initial comment by asking if anyone had ever seen a bull fight. Plus I was probably standing up for my folk hero Hemingway. No big deal, just exchanging points of view. Thanks for your thoughts. Charlie
Good one! But Chestnut is covered by ESPN and is usually found in the 'sports sections.....". Just saying.
It’s a little like America’s Got Talent to me…
well, if that’s the qualification... 🤯
GO DAWGS
Typical of 'Papa'--the only real "sports" are where there is the risk of severe injury or death. If he'd lived longer he might have included pro football in his list.
Anyone here ever been to a bull fight? I have, and within the context of the culture where it exists it is a mysteriously beautiful experience.
Hemingway… excellent
This guy is just a glutton! Eating contests are disgusting!
It’s mind blowing.
I agree--it’s so gross. I cannot watch that. He’s definitely a performer. Good for him. He’s more PT Barnum
Sort of like sword swallowing…
Agree.
Depends on how one defines an athlete. Probably not in the terms we normally think of. But the successes he has had and the career he had built, I raise this hot dog to him and say well done!
Success… no doubt
Some might find this among your cheesier columns, John. The great Bill Raftery might declare, ‘ONIONS!’
As for me, I need time to ketchup while digesting the story.
(Sorry.)
You are on fire Barry!
Sorta imagining Joey Chestnut’s unathletic gut was on fire (in a diff way).
And yet, he was planning to down some beers!
I think Joey is a vacuum cleaner disguised as a human being.
A fun take, thank you. Hold the kraut and onions!
I needed a break from the media rights beat.
Don't we all?
I was at PIR that day riding with Bourdais. I’d driven competitively so the speed wasn’t what got my attention. It was the braking and the timing and, most importantly, the g forces. I left the track wondering how their bodies could withstand that kind of pressure for long periods of time.
Without a doubt, high performance drivers are highly trained athletes. Mr. Chestnut is something else. I’m just not sure what.
Craig Walker
Number one hand to eye coordination: race car drivers. No. two: baseball players. So I've heard.
He’s no athlete. He’s simply a guy who found a way to turn a disgusting thing into a living. I hope that he’s got some good financial planners so when this inevitably ends he will have something to fall back on.
Not my favorite topic but the comments are the best. I love this community you’ve created John.
This comment section is unrivaled.
Performer, yes. Athlete, no. Many performers spend a lifetime training for their craft and no one claims, say, that a standup comedian is an athlete. Nor, in my younger days when I drank and ate to extreme excess, did a sober wife standing off to the side exclaim, "Oh yeah, baby, you're an athlete now!"
BTW, thanks for a break in the PAC 10/12 drama.
BINGO Mike - well played! Charlie
Another clever, entertaining and thought-provoking piece of writing. This one alone is worth $6.99, but please don’t think about taking the rest of the month off ;)
I love writing too much to take more than a day here or there.
Reading is one of my pleasures and you rarely disappoint. Thanks John!
I don't know. But I bet his ability to endure pain signals that the body sends and continue to push on despite his body telling him to quit exceeds the ability of all of us who are leaving comments. That attribute is certainly is a key component of being a successful athlete, regardless of how we choose to categorize him.
Sword swallowing is amazing in the same way.
Perhaps with pain, but not with endurance. If the Nathan's challenge were 5 minutes, there would be a lot less differentiation among the competitors.
Yah. Can't get past a weak handshake. Sad to hear about the dead fish he put in your hand.
That said, he's a National Treasure. An American Icon. It's fun.
But he's no more an athlete than the drikin' buddies I see on the Professional Cornhole Tour. Yes, that's a thing.
It's awesome and the guy deserves all the money and accolades he gets. Fitting it was Joey who insisted the contest go on, despite calls to cancel it due to weather.
I gave him a second chance on the handshake… failed the sequel on the way out. Just shook my head.
Bobby Dillon, I hear, had the same handshake. I agree with Coach on his approach for processing this. When asked for an autograph, Bill Russell would warmly say " I can't do that, but I would like to shake your hand", then, as Dan Jenkins would write in "Limousine", you would "put it in the vise" with Bill Russell.
More important, does Joey think Joey is an athlete? Me? I think he has some kind of savant-like mo Jo he recalls when needed. In the middle of the hot dogs, he also managed to collar an eco-demonstrator, almost looking like he was an MMA athlete at the same time .
Thanks for a timely article about an amazingly unexciting guy, who manages to make interviews seem like a royal pain.
I found it interesting that nobody recognized him when he came in the radio building.
1st item on the list made my mind jump to Cool Hand Luke
50 eggs, no time limit. "Kick a buck"!
😂 same