AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2007 > July > 05 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USHot dog contest is tasteless
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Mark Bradley
I ate a hot dog on the Fourth of July. I believe this now makes me a world-class athlete.
A guy ate 66 hot dogs in 12 minutes and was declared world champion on ESPN on the Fourth. ESPN is — or, more precisely, was — a network devoted to sports. This guy’s feat, if you want to call it that, was chronicled breathlessly by the wire services and featured prominently on the major sports Web sites. Every now and then we have the debate over whether figure skating is a real sport. Well, alongside renowned gorger Joey Chesnut, Michelle Kwan is Jim Thorpe.
We’ve known for some time these two basic truths: (1.) That people will do anything to get on TV, and (2.) that TV will show people doing just about anything. But ultimately we have to draw the line:
Eating is not a sport. Poker is not a sport. A spelling bee is not a sport. They’re competitions, yes, but they involve nothing athletic. They’re simply programming for the great beast Television, and for reasons unclear some among us feel compelled to watch this stuff.
At least a spelling bee carries educational content. What’s to be gained from guys eating hot dogs? Not one thing, other than this priceless quote — I’m borrowing from the Associated Press report — from Rich Shea of the International Federation of Competitive Eating. Having seen dethroned champ Takeru Kobayashi undergo a “reversal” (meaning: he vomited), Shea said: “Obviously that last bit exited his mouth quite dramatically.”
So here’s what I want to know: If eating is a sport, how long before ESPN brings us the World Series of Puking? And how would you determine the winner? By volume? By distance? By content?
Permalink | Comments (164) | Post your comment | Categories: Mark Bradley, Quick Hit
Comments
By Jo
July 5, 2007 10:40 AM | Link to this
It’s a form of entertainment & like all forms of entertainment, some people like it & others don’t. An ex-boyfriend of mine had participated in a hotdog eaing contest that was actually a benefit for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Nothing tasteless about THAT!
By MIKE
July 5, 2007 10:40 AM | Link to this
I agree if I never see one of these again it will be too soon. This mess had a 5 min. segment on the Today show …ARE YOU KIDDING ME? complete with a doctor to boot. Geeze only in America :(
By Ryan
July 5, 2007 10:41 AM | Link to this
poker is too a sport.
I’ll tell you what also is not a sport, this very p** poor example of sports writing.
Stick to college basketball which is the only thing you know anything about.
moron
By Super Paul BoneBreaker Barlow
July 5, 2007 10:41 AM | Link to this
As a competitive eater, I don’t like seeing anyone have “a reversal of fortune”. I also don’t like watching football-hockey-baseball-basketball-tennis ,etc.. getting injured, bloodied, maimed, and mangled.
Does that make them less of a sport? Competitive Eating is an intense competition. It is exciting, thrilling, amazing, and like other sports, sometimes repulsive.
By dawgdan
July 5, 2007 10:48 AM | Link to this
Great idea, Bradley! I’d pony up $49.95 to Comcast for a PPV of the World Series of Puking! Tasteless, maybe. But who cares?! Hysterical!
By Robert Sapp
July 5, 2007 10:50 AM | Link to this
Mark, ESPN stands for Entertainment and Sports Programming Network. Everything they do doesn’t have to be an athletic competition just as the examples you noted. This was a lazy article. Must have had a rough night last night, huh?
By rw
July 5, 2007 10:51 AM | Link to this
I get your point, but I would watch puking - great idea for a show!
By Bamabrad
July 5, 2007 10:52 AM | Link to this
Obviously, there wasn’t much going on in the world yesterday for them to broadcast this form of gluttony! I agree- it’s no sport. In fact, they’re not even eating HOT DOGS! They’re just stuffing weiners in their mouths. I like your column!! Don’t let the clueless people in this town tell you any different.
By Jodi
July 5, 2007 10:52 AM | Link to this
I disagree! To me - sports are competitions. They are competing to win and it does not have to always be athletic to be a sport. Table Tennis is not athletic (at least I don’t think so).
I am perfectly fine with ESPN airing competitions. It definitely reaches a wider audience and keeps the programming interested. There are dedicated stations that air 24 hours of Football…so go watch them!
I watched the hot dog eating contest and was amazed at their speed and strategy. You are just hating, Mark. BTW, maybe you should be the first one to compete for the World Series of Puking! (how silly)
By David
July 5, 2007 10:53 AM | Link to this
hot dog eating is a stupid sport
By Ronnie
July 5, 2007 10:59 AM | Link to this
Mark Bradley why do you hate America?
By russ
July 5, 2007 11:00 AM | Link to this
Were you the guy in high school who always said “gee, I don’t know guys, it looks dangerous.” It’s a hot dog eating contest. It’s been going on since 1916 and it’s cheesy, good old fashion, American fun. You can’t even enjoy a holiday without some uptight newspaper writer b*** about the hot dog eating contest. When’s the last time you had fun?
By Jackson
July 5, 2007 11:02 AM | Link to this
I don’t suppose, then, that you remember that ESPN was in its infancy that they also ran College Bowl matches similar to Jeopardy. Their definition of what constitutes a ‘sport’ as never been limited exclusively to athletics.
Seriously, who the hell cares? It’s not as if atheletics are getting short-shrift in this world. If anything, they’re over-emphasized in the context of competitions. But that’s a discussion for another time.
By Sonic
July 5, 2007 11:05 AM | Link to this
Chill out Bradley. It’s all in good fun. And your newspaper, though I hate calling this rag a newspaper, was posting articles about it leading up to the actual competition. And if you watched the actual event, you’d have to be a moron to not understand that they were joking around when saying things like “This could be the biggest thing to ever happen in American sports.” If you were disgusted by it or thought it was tasteless, turn the channel. And to answer your question about the World Series of Puking - for contestants they could find all they need right here - the people who read the ajc.com - I know that every time i read the sports section I want to puke!
By Chris
July 5, 2007 11:05 AM | Link to this
While I do agree that competetive eating should not be considered a sport, this year’s Nathan’s contest was quite an exciting competition to watch. A previous World Record was shattered by two competitors and the US beat Japan again. While it may not be a sport, it was still fun to watch
By Lee
July 5, 2007 11:12 AM | Link to this
Plus, according to Terrence Moore, there aren’t enough black coaches in the sport of competitive eating.
By David Letterman
July 5, 2007 11:13 AM | Link to this
The only thing tasteless on here is having to read these no-talent writers everyday waiting for an insightful, thoughtful opinion. Mark Bradley is to sportswrting to what Jim Harrick is to ethics.
By Jim
July 5, 2007 11:13 AM | Link to this
I think it was exciting to watch and that it took an amazing amount of training and heart to do what Chestnut did. I am impressed by him. He deserves some credit.
By Long John Silver
July 5, 2007 11:14 AM | Link to this
This article is not worth the fish I wrapped it in.
By MtDew
July 5, 2007 11:16 AM | Link to this
Not just for TV. There were 30,000 people at the event. How many times have the Braves hit that magic number this year?
As for ESPN, they’re becoming more and more MTV with their movement toward “other” types of programming. Now we get PTI, The Sports Reporters, Around The Horn, Rome is Burning, Cold Pizza, SportsCenter all morning, etc. I don’t see much competition in any of those unless it’s to see who can yell the loudest.
By Greg
July 5, 2007 11:16 AM | Link to this
I would rather watch a guy stuff his face with hotdogs then the local news covering all the perverts who molest and rape kids. They don’t need to cover that. It is just for titilation and to sell ad space. At least hotdog eating isn’t gawking at violence. How about covering kids who make straight A’s at local schools?
By Tom
July 5, 2007 11:16 AM | Link to this
I wouldn’t call Baseball, Football, or Basketball “Sports” either- they are all “business endeavors”, supported by taxes on a gullible public, said taxes paying for the building of sports palaces free of charge to multi-millionaire team owners, so that “roid-shooting halfwits”…. excuse me, “athletes”…. can play silly, juvenile games in between arrests for public misconduct.
By Paul
July 5, 2007 11:17 AM | Link to this
ESPN use to show a lot more sports. (I miss Australian rules football). Kind of like MTV use to show music videos. Now we get about 16 hours of Sportscenter or poker unless the Yankees or Red Sox are playing. Oh, I forgot to mention how ESPN has now gone to bed with Bonds on his fake record. Anything decent to watch is regulated to ESPN2. Thank goodness for Sports South.
By KT
July 5, 2007 11:21 AM | Link to this
Get over yourself. Nobody takes this competition seriously as a sport. Yes, it’s on ESPN, but it just entertainment. It’s a tradition and it’s cheesy, but come on! It’s fun, even though it may not be the most appetizing thing to watch.
And I’d wager that NASCAR isn’t a sport! That’s right, I said it. People are crazy about that redneck mess around here. I agree that competitive eating isn’t a sport, but why is driving around in a circle for hours upon hours, only for your destination to be exactly where you started. That doesn’t sound too smart to me? Yes NASCAR races include competition, skill, skill and training, but so does this hot dog eating contest.
By KT
July 5, 2007 11:21 AM | Link to this
Get over yourself. Nobody takes this competition seriously as a sport. Yes, it’s on ESPN, but it just entertainment. It’s a tradition and it’s cheesy, but come on! It’s fun, even though it may not be the most appetizing thing to watch.
And I’d wager that NASCAR isn’t a sport! That’s right, I said it. People are crazy about that redneck mess around here. I agree that competitive eating isn’t a sport, but why is driving around in a circle for hours upon hours, only for your destination to be exactly where you started. That doesn’t sound too smart to me? Yes NASCAR races include competition, skill, strategy and training, but so does this hot dog eating contest.
By Rock Preston
July 5, 2007 11:21 AM | Link to this
It’s called ESPN —-ENTERTAINMENT Sports Programming Network….It was entertainment Mark.
By David Duke
July 5, 2007 11:22 AM | Link to this
This prejudice against cuisine athletes must end. At every buffet you will see the food gorgers working on increasing capacity for gluttony. These people are training as surely as others train for running, lifting or boxing. These under-appreciated, devourers are shoving vast quantities of food stuffs down their necks not for themselves but to entertain you and me. My wife, Bovina, and I are now in training for the next Peachtree Gorge-a-thon which will be held in September. I can’t wait to proudly wear my xxxxL tee shirt. In protest of your uncomplimentary remarks we will be marching on CiCi’s pizza later today. Remember Mark, corpulence is not easily attained. It takes hard work, dedication and a lot of time lumbering through buffet lines. Let’s eat!
By Mike
July 5, 2007 11:24 AM | Link to this
I agree Mark but I’d rather watch the hot dog contest than watch that “Who’s Now” crap. That is truly ridiculous.
By S Turn
July 5, 2007 11:30 AM | Link to this
Even debating whether not competitive eating is a sport or not is idiotic. I did watch it but was laughting at the commentators calling this a sport.
By BB
July 5, 2007 11:32 AM | Link to this
I agree entirely. Please, drop poker and hot dog eating contests from TV. Only morons watch either one. While the spelling bee is not a sport, at least it is productive.
By Bushwacker
July 5, 2007 11:34 AM | Link to this
Bicycle riding and poker are not sports either but but they get alot of coverage too.It’s called “entertainment”. ESPN..Entertainment and Sports Programing Network.
Again I have to ask, how much does the AJC pay you guys??
By Desmond
July 5, 2007 11:37 AM | Link to this
How can you folks waste all this time talking about a hot dog eating contest, when THE LAST OF THE ORIGINAL DRIFTERS HAS DIED??!!! People! Come on!
By dhlm
July 5, 2007 11:38 AM | Link to this
ESPN = Entertainment and Sports Network Are you a guy? Men will create a sport just for fun. Go to Phipps and buy a pink belt and matching shoes will ya…
By Mark is an idiot
July 5, 2007 11:41 AM | Link to this
You are an idiot Mark Bradley. Sport and competition are not the same thing. This is why you are blogging on the AJC and not writing anything meaningful
By dhlm
July 5, 2007 11:42 AM | Link to this
ESPN = Entertainment and Sports Network. Are you a guy? Go to Phipps and buy a pink belt and matching shoes already…
By Bushwacker
July 5, 2007 11:44 AM | Link to this
To whoever hires reporters at AJC, please contact me asap, I will write columns for you that will get alot more response from your readers than the idiots you have writing for you now and I will work for 1/2 the average salaries of Bradley, Schulz and Moore, that is unless you are happy with the same responses from everyone you get now, that your reporters suck and are over paid.
By Matt the Brave
July 5, 2007 11:44 AM | Link to this
Bushwacker, do you realize how hard it is to get a bike up the Alps? Saying that bicycle riding isn’t a sport is just stupid. But you are right in that poker isn’t a sport. It’s a game.
I think that the next great Atlanta sport should be how badly the AJC sports writers can hack a story. I think that Terrance “We Need Only Blacks in Atlanta Sports” Moore would beat Mark “I Secretly Love the Yankees and Mets” Bradley in a close race.
By Bushwacker
July 5, 2007 11:51 AM | Link to this
You see, I already got a response on bicycle racing,is it a sport or not??
To Matt the Brave, how about if they carry the bike while they run up the hill??
By R C Lighthill
July 5, 2007 11:51 AM | Link to this
Frankly, I’d rather watch an eating contest over a basketball game anyday.
By Terrance Moore
July 5, 2007 11:53 AM | Link to this
Come to think of it, all the hot dog buns were…..WHITE!!!!! No pumpernickel!! No marble rye!! Nathan whatever-the-hell-his-last-name-is has some explaining to do!! I’ll just bet John Schuerholtz has something to do with this!!
By Old folks
July 5, 2007 11:54 AM | Link to this
I say that as long as he “enjoyed” himself, it’s wonderful.
By Frank
July 5, 2007 11:56 AM | Link to this
Mark you are such a nancy boy I bet you struggled to even finish that single hot dog.
It must be tough to only be relevant one month out of the year. Whens college basketball start again? Thats right nobody cares.
By David Duke
July 5, 2007 11:56 AM | Link to this
Pounding down fifty or so hot dogs is uniquely American and we should be proud. What would the fourth of July be without a tangible display of our gluttony as a nation. With jets flying overhead and men and women in uniform, it would be unpatriotic to not eat multiple hot dogs and consume at least half a keg of beer. This is what our forefathers passed down to us. In this great nation we are free to hog food, money, gasoline, beer and anything else we choose. Our over-indulgence in eating is symbolic of our view of life. We can do whatever we choose as individuals. As a nation, we represent all that is good, wholesome and desireable. Just ask those we are helping in Iraq. To exercise my freedom, I burned an American flag in my back yard. It was a real treat to watch Old Gory go up while I ate another hot dog. It wasn’t an Ameican made flag though. it was manufactured in China.
By TV guy
July 5, 2007 12:00 PM | Link to this
Chill out. Is this all you have to write about? This is a once a year thing, on a holiday, for fun.
Poker gets higher ratings than Hockey, that is why ESPN dumped one of the “Big 4” sports. Maybe if the AJC replaced your column with “Beetle Bailey” the ratings would also increase.
By HB
July 5, 2007 12:00 PM | Link to this
I personally enjoyed it. It was very entertaining and quite funny.
By David
July 5, 2007 12:02 PM | Link to this
Did I really just read someone trying to justify poker as a sport? If your ‘sport’ can be played online, odds are, its technically not a sport. This is the same attitude that allows kids to get out of PE in elementary school. We as a culture need to get off our bums! Poker is not a sport.
And for the record, if people watch it, ESPN has the justification to play it.
By GT80
July 5, 2007 12:02 PM | Link to this
Just like anything on TV, Mark, you can switch the channel, or better yet just turn it off. Don’t get so uptight. Now if you want to get uptight about something on ESPN, how about their made up “tournament” to determine who is the “Most Now” athlete in the world. The people at ESPN will stoop to any level to fill up their programming hours. Sports are not what they really care about, ratings are.
But this has been fun reading these posts, mostly deriding you Mark.
By SitDownBradley
July 5, 2007 12:03 PM | Link to this
Bradley, the a show attracts ratings, why not???? Shoot, Texa Hold ‘em is not a sport but ESPN broadcasts it because of ratings.
By SitDownBradley
July 5, 2007 12:03 PM | Link to this
Bradley, the a show attracts ratings, why not???? Shoot, Texa Hold ‘em is not a sport but ESPN broadcasts it because of ratings.
By SitDownBradley
July 5, 2007 12:03 PM | Link to this
Bradley, the a show attracts ratings, why not???? Shoot, Texa Hold ‘em is not a sport but ESPN broadcasts it because of ratings.
By SitDownBradley
July 5, 2007 12:03 PM | Link to this
Bradley, the a show attracts ratings, why not???? Shoot, Texa Hold ‘em is not a sport but ESPN broadcasts it because of ratings.
By SitDownBradley
July 5, 2007 12:03 PM | Link to this
Bradley, the a show attracts ratings, why not???? Shoot, Texa Hold ‘em is not a sport but ESPN broadcasts it because of ratings.
By SitDownBradley
July 5, 2007 12:03 PM | Link to this
Bradley, the a show attracts ratings, why not???? Shoot, Texa Hold ‘em is not a sport but ESPN broadcasts it because of ratings.
By SitDownBradley
July 5, 2007 12:03 PM | Link to this
Bradley, the a show attracts ratings, why not???? Shoot, Texa Hold ‘em is not a sport but ESPN broadcasts it because of ratings.
By SitDownBradley
July 5, 2007 12:03 PM | Link to this
Bradley, the a show attracts ratings, why not???? Shoot, Texa Hold ‘em is not a sport but ESPN broadcasts it because of ratings.
By SitDownBradley
July 5, 2007 12:03 PM | Link to this
Bradley, the a show attracts ratings, why not???? Shoot, Texa Hold ‘em is not a sport but ESPN broadcasts it because of ratings.
By SitDownBradley
July 5, 2007 12:03 PM | Link to this
Bradley, the a show attracts ratings, why not???? Shoot, Texa Hold ‘em is not a sport but ESPN broadcasts it because of ratings.
By Jason
July 5, 2007 12:08 PM | Link to this
I’m pretty sure Mayor Michael Bloomberg introduced these 2 at the contest. This guy might be running for President. Maybe it shouldn’t be considered a sport per se, but don’t try to diminish its value in entertainment or in attracting high-profile people.
By Rnady
July 5, 2007 12:10 PM | Link to this
At least it wasn’t dog fighting!
By Mark Bradley
July 5, 2007 12:10 PM | Link to this
“Cuisine athletes” — great line.
By Mark
July 5, 2007 12:10 PM | Link to this
I’d rather watch competetive eating than african roundball any day.
By Rasta Man
July 5, 2007 12:16 PM | Link to this
dem horsie’s racin ain’t much of a sport, and all this about figure skatin’ is kind girly and not much of a sport, mon, even hockey is pushing it as a sport. No ball, no team, no sport.
By Jason
July 5, 2007 12:25 PM | Link to this
Man… you just don’t get it. You really don’t. You aren’t thinking outside the box. They have a golf channel, they have poker all the time on TV… talk about BORING. But once a year they have a hot dog eating contest that is a lot of fun and is a tradition… and you go and slap in in the face? It’s a July-4th American thing and if you don’t like it, well, then just don’t turn on the TV. Obviously you did and watched it… if you were SO offended by it then you wouldn’t have watched it in the first place.
I’d like to see YOU accomplish something like that. They get national and international attention. They are in the spotlight… and you are NOT. Maybe you are just jealous? Maybe you wish it was YOU eating those hot dogs?
I’ve been in an eating contest before… Moe’s had a burrito eating contest a while back to win a chopper. Yes, I couldn’t eat for a week after being in the contest, but it was a LOT of fun and something I’ll never forget… and eating hot dogs ain’t got NOTHIN on having to eat 3 giant Moes burritos as fast as you can. I didn’t win… I came close… but still it was a thrill and there were tons of people cheering me on. It’s not something you do every day or watch every day… but once a year, let people have their fun, quit complaining about it, and find something better to write about that people actually care to read.
By RDI
July 5, 2007 12:26 PM | Link to this
golf isn’t a sport either and yet the airwaves (not just on ESPN) are filled with that bile every weekend.
By gj
July 5, 2007 12:28 PM | Link to this
I find it amusing that you disparage ESPN for telecasting the Nathan’s Hot Dog eating contest. Yet you mention nothing about the fact that your own employer carriers the story in the paper and has the video on the website.
By DLandry
July 5, 2007 12:32 PM | Link to this
The great thing about TV is if you don’t like something you can TURN THE CHANNEL!! I personally enjoy watching people stuff themselves with hot dogs.
By Sherman
July 5, 2007 12:35 PM | Link to this
Great article Mark. I really think ESPN(Northeast) is just always looking for that “next” thing, but it just falls short when they’re jamming us viewers with their shannagins.
By Weather Man
July 5, 2007 12:35 PM | Link to this
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By GaSouthAlum
July 5, 2007 12:37 PM | Link to this
This just goes to show that like ESPN, Mark Bradley didn’t have any real sports to write about on July 4 (besides baseball) so they have to come up with something else to fill a programming (column) spot. And if the Hot Dog Eating Contest is the first time that you have questioned whether or not ESPN is a sports channel, then you obviously haven’t seen all of the other crap that is on the station. Like the previous post, I really miss Australian Rules Football. Put basketball referees in white dinner jackets like the referees on Aussie Football!
By Jeffrey D. Knight
July 5, 2007 12:38 PM | Link to this
The problem with competitive eating is that you can’t dress up your dogs with anything…a hot dog and a bun, period. I like mine at a normal speed(two in 15 minutes, thanks)with all the proper seasonings…mustard, relish, onion and sauerkraut.
By War Eagle
July 5, 2007 12:39 PM | Link to this
ESPN programming STINKS-First-Tennis is boring and is a church sport-no cheering-ony polite clapping at the end of the ping pong match. Poker-oh yeah real exciting-barf-what is next ppro paint drying? How about MR. Moore’s Favorite-the African Sports hour? Show sporting events from Africa like junta kinta and idi amin squaring off in blow darts at 20 paces. ESPN is trying to entertain but they need new stuff other than Slam Ball and the WNBA and the 24hr Terrance Moore Basketbll channel to succeed. Watch, the NAACP willsay the contest is racist due to lack of Black participation. Perhpas Church’s ought to sponsor a chicken eating contest.
By marty
July 5, 2007 12:39 PM | Link to this
golf is no more a sport than bowling or any other activity. I agree taht spelling and hotdogs shouldnt be on there, but golf you compete against teh par not any person. golf is overrated as them being athletes. Eldric ( tiger) is the only atletic golfer.
hot dogs, spelling poker and golf. i agree
By marty
July 5, 2007 12:40 PM | Link to this
golf is no more a sport than bowling or any other activity. I agree taht spelling and hotdogs shouldnt be on there, but golf you compete against teh par not any person. golf is overrated as them being athletes. Eldric ( tiger) is the only atletic golfer.
hot dogs, spelling poker and golf. i agree
By observer
July 5, 2007 12:40 PM | Link to this
Why all the hating on Bradley? He only points out what America is most interested in; inputs and outputs of the human body. There could be an Olympics of Body functions!
By Ben
July 5, 2007 12:44 PM | Link to this
I agree Mark. ESPN has become very desperate. If you look at the latest branding index and examine their past 5 yrs, ESPN is on the decline. They missed the boat on not picking up the UFC and others. They have compromised themselves, which has resulted in a steady decline.
By David Duke
July 5, 2007 12:50 PM | Link to this
Jason,
It’s people like you that make America what it is today! Your attempt to win a chopper by using your own choppers must have made your parents, wife and family very proud. Eating one of those bean-filled slabs of goo is enough to create enough methane to kill a horse. Eating three could have been fatal for you but you said, “flatulence be damned” and you munched ever forward. Hearing the crowd urge you on must have been inspiring to you. I’m sure your guts were ready to heave but you continued to fight the good fight and swallow bean juice and avacado poop to win that bike. I salute you and I hope you will continue to practice your technique. Next time, you’ll win. Were the windows down on the family car on the trip home?
By Ken Myers
July 5, 2007 12:51 PM | Link to this
Mark, If you don’t like the Nathan’s Hot Dog Contest from Brooklyn, there’s something simple you can do. Reach over, pick up your remote control, and CHANGE THE CHANNEL. I would assume the Atlanta area has enough channels on their cable system that you could find something else to watch. If you don’t like it, DON”T WATCH IT. It’s as simple as that, but for some people, that would make too much sense like some sports media.
By Brian
July 5, 2007 12:52 PM | Link to this
Eating is more of a sport than NASCAR. I am tired of NASCAR’s soap opera like drama on Sportscenter. They need to keep that sport on Neckvision.
By Mark Bradley
July 5, 2007 12:55 PM | Link to this
Just had lunch. Somebody alert the networks.
By hotdogfan
July 5, 2007 12:59 PM | Link to this
I had a great time watching the event. sure it was a huge waste of time, but that is what makes our country so great. I had nothing to do but watch this thing and that is all i wanted on my dayoff. So is watching a bunch of overpayed criminals so much more dignified?
By J
July 5, 2007 1:05 PM | Link to this
Come on people … the guy downed 66 dogs in 12 minutes, that’s pretty impressive.
You have to have some athletic talent to down that many dogs in 12 minutes … whether it be stomach muscles, jaw muscles, throat. while i wouldn’t want to see the reverse side of eating, i still think it’s pretty entertaining.
By hotdogfan
July 5, 2007 1:06 PM | Link to this
So this competition is silly and stupid. It is no more rediculous than a bunch of really tall guys throwing a ball into a ring with a net around it or hitting a tiny ball into a hole in the grass. People in this country take sports way too seriously. Even though these guys get paid millions of dollars and it is fun to watch, in the end it is all somesort of competion that means just as much in the scheme of things as the hotdog contest.
By hardworkingmom
July 5, 2007 1:11 PM | Link to this
I found this article to be quite unenteraining. You sound tired. Did one of your children write this article? It sounds like something my 13 year old might write for creative writing class. As many people would say, if you don’t like what’s on the channel then change the TV. There are tons of sports channels and the above person was right the E in ESPN is entertainment. I don’t like to watch eating contests because it just makes me sick to watch people eating food like that but I do just change the channel. As long as people watch, it will be put on TV.
By JawjaHillbilly
July 5, 2007 1:13 PM | Link to this
Is “busy work” assigned at the AJC when newsworthy items are scarce?
It’s like Poor Ole Grandaddy use’ta say; “I you ain’t got nuthin to say, then don’t say nuthin!!”
If you ain’t got nuthin to write, then don’t write nuthin!!!
By magzcatz
July 5, 2007 1:13 PM | Link to this
Mark, its impressive to see that you get your ideas for articles from ESPN!! Thats hard work, commenting on whats on television!!!
By Lex Luthor
July 5, 2007 1:19 PM | Link to this
Well, at least hotdog eating is more entertaining than a bunch of losers playing poker. I love those action deck shuffles the card “atheletes” do when ESPN shows their Bio. Its all most as bad as Bob Saps stare move.
By joeychestnutforpresident
July 5, 2007 1:20 PM | Link to this
I thought the commentators were hilarious when they said joey chestnut is now an American hero with the likes of thomas Jefferson and Taylor Hicks. How can anyone not like this event. I don’t understand how someone can actually take this seriously, shame on you Bradley I thought you were smarter than that. I’m sorry Mark, but Pro Wrestling is fake, they predetermine the matches. How is this guy a respected journalist?
By ChampDawg
July 5, 2007 1:21 PM | Link to this
Hey Bradley, the Braves sometimes don’t resemble a sport and they get broadcast every game… LMAO!. Heck, the Hawks and Falcons damn sure aren’t sport MOST of the time!
It’s all in fun. I enjoyed watching it and almost a July 4th tradition. Hell, it was sure more entertaining than watching tennis or golf. Talk about boring.
By Ted Turner
July 5, 2007 1:26 PM | Link to this
Mark, seeing as how you read these posts, make a note to yourself; It should read, “I have been mocked, scorned, outwitted, overruled, and outnumbered.”
Clearly, the vast majority of the posts disagree with your rant. The fact that you work for the AJC is proof that your “career” as a writer is over.
By Cadmonkey
July 5, 2007 1:27 PM | Link to this
Mark, I’m sorry you must lead a really sad life if you did not find any enjoyment in the event. I have about the same chance of hitting 69 at Oakmont as I do eating 66 hotdogs. Show my boy Joey some love.
By daddy-O
July 5, 2007 1:28 PM | Link to this
Relax man, it’s purely entertainment. You don’t like that’s okay, it’s America, all you have to do is change the channel there buddy.
By Mark Bradley's a Fairy
July 5, 2007 1:28 PM | Link to this
This crap is why you are blogging on the AJC website all day and not writing for SI or something worth a damn.
By Tim
July 5, 2007 1:30 PM | Link to this
This isn’t journalism, but for some reason the AJC still chooses to print it. Ironic, huh?
By Rod
July 5, 2007 1:31 PM | Link to this
Mark - do your homework before you write a column!!!
ESPN = Entertainment and SPorts Network
The food contest was entertainment. WAKE UP!
By Corey
July 5, 2007 1:37 PM | Link to this
You’re a dope.
Your opening comment shows no usage of thought:
“I ate a hot dog on the Fourth of July. I believe this now makes me a world-class athlete.”
That is like me saying:
“I threw a football on Sunday. I believe that makes me an all-star quarterback.”
By James J.
July 5, 2007 1:37 PM | Link to this
I agree with Mr. Bradley as far as competitive eating not being a sport. It is, however, an extremely entertaining event that has been going on for over a hundred years. ESPN had nothing better to show at the time, so why not put it on the air? I have watched it for the past five years and plan to keep watching in the future. If nothing else, one has to admit that the profiles and personalities of the eaters are hilarious. Crazy Legs, The Locust, Badlands, and Eater X are among some of the best nicknames, which modern sports seem to be lacking. All in all, there is no harm from ESPN airing the gluttonfest every year, and I am proud that the Mustard Yellow Belt has returned to the U.S.
By David Duke
July 5, 2007 1:38 PM | Link to this
What no one has mentioned is that the winner of the hotdog eating contest is American. The title, after six long, miserable years has returned to these shores. The yellow menace has been vanquished and our treasured title is, once again where it should be-in America. American hotdogs for American mouths! Go back to Kyoto and enter some of those sushi eating contests Mr. Chopstick!
By BigD
July 5, 2007 1:46 PM | Link to this
Mark Bradley is a woman.
By Mark Bradley's a Fairy
July 5, 2007 1:47 PM | Link to this
David Duke, don’t be mad because you are probably a poor, white, uneducated waste of life. You were probably drooling over all that food on TV since food stamps and welfare checks only get you so far. Everyone is saying Mark Bradley is an idiot, but your stupid, racist comment makes you a real winner.
By PoliticalMan
July 5, 2007 1:49 PM | Link to this
Maybe we can have contests involving any and all bodily functions and parts. Let the imagination roam.
As far as I am concerned wanting to participate in or watch eating and puking is truly some sick stuff. Fortunately for ESPN, there seems to be a large contingent of sickos just waiting to lap the stuff up. Now Bradley and the rest of us realize that.
By JoeyD
July 5, 2007 1:57 PM | Link to this
MARK BRADLEY IS A HUGE DOUCHE.
By Annie
July 5, 2007 1:58 PM | Link to this
Well, at least someone recognizes what’s NOT a sport. But I’m still wondering why in the whole entirety of the AJC’s motorsports coverage, they never any coverage of Formula 1? There’s tons of NASCAR news, though. I know Atlanta’s a southern city but we’re not THAT backwoods, are we?
By Annie
July 5, 2007 1:59 PM | Link to this
Well, at least someone recognizes what’s NOT a sport. But I’m still wondering why in the whole entirety of the AJC’s motorsports coverage, they never have any coverage of Formula 1? There’s tons of NASCAR news, though. I know Atlanta’s a southern city but we’re not THAT backwoods, are we?
By jim
July 5, 2007 2:07 PM | Link to this
Mark, Hot Dog eating, football, baseball, basketball, they are all entertainment as nothing tangible is produced or made. Sports are all performed to entertain, get over it..
By Ol Ball Coach
July 5, 2007 2:10 PM | Link to this
How is this (your) column different?
By Big Bob
July 5, 2007 2:11 PM | Link to this
I wrote a comment for the AJC on the fifth of July. I believe this now makes me a world-class columnist. See the logic, Mr. Bradley? “Eating is not a sport. Poker is not a sport. A spelling bee is not a sport.”—and, your written ramblings are not a skill. Stick to what you know something about.
By Shawn B
July 5, 2007 2:20 PM | Link to this
Mark, you are such a joke. This is the best article you could come up with??? And you get paid for this crap is really sad. It was entertainment, just like the first letter stands for in ESPN. Just like poker and the spelling bee are not sports, and ESPN shows them. You very rarely have anything worth saying, which is why I seldom bother to read your articles, and I can’t believe you still have a job when you continue to write articles like this.
By Shawn B
July 5, 2007 2:20 PM | Link to this
Mark, you are such a joke. This is the best article you could come up with??? And you get paid for this crap is really sad. It was entertainment, just like the first letter stands for in ESPN. Just like poker and the spelling bee are not sports, and ESPN shows them. You very rarely have anything worth saying, which is why I seldom bother to read your articles, and I can’t believe you still have a job when you continue to write articles like this. YOU ARE A JOKE
By Shawn B
July 5, 2007 2:20 PM | Link to this
Mark, you are such a joke. This is the best article you could come up with??? And you get paid for this crap is really sad. It was entertainment, just like the first letter stands for in ESPN. Just like poker and the spelling bee are not sports, and ESPN shows them. You very rarely have anything worth saying, which is why I seldom bother to read your articles, and I can’t believe you still have a job when you continue to write articles like this. YOU ARE A JOKE!!!!!!!!!
By Jeffrey
July 5, 2007 2:21 PM | Link to this
What do you think these guys’ s** look like when they’re done?
By David Duke
July 5, 2007 2:22 PM | Link to this
Fairy,
As a God-loving, patriotic, hot dog eating American, I’m proud that the hotdog eating championship once again resides in the U. S. of A. Foreigners should never know the meatiness of a Nathan’s ‘dog. I’ve been to Coney island and I’ve stood upon that hallowed ground and I’ve consumed a Nathan’s dog while the Merry-go-rounds went around and while the Ferris wheel ferrised. I was proud to do what so many before me had done-put relish and mustard on a Coney Island dog and wolf it down in two gulps. I say let the foreigners eat their spaghetti, sweet and sour duck, totillas, borscht and whatever else but let’s make ‘em eat it over there. Hotdogs are American food and they should be reserved for Americans. From now on, Nathan’s should insist upon seeing proof of American citizenship before serving anyone. God gave us hotdogs and he wants us to be good stewards of them. he doesn’t want just any heathen to be able to buy one. Are you an American citizen? Could it be you are an immigrant, eating at the public trough?
By Mark Bradley's a Fairy
July 5, 2007 2:36 PM | Link to this
KKK Lover,
By Mark Bradley's a Fairy
July 5, 2007 2:36 PM | Link to this
KKK Lover,
By ESPNer
July 5, 2007 2:41 PM | Link to this
Wow, what can be said that already hasn’t? Not much so I’ll just jump on the bandwagon.
Mark, you ignorant slut! (From SNL) Your commentary is why you are you and ESPN is the Worldwide Leader in Sports. It’s simply entertainment and someone at ESPN programming thought a hotdog eating contest would be more entertaining than the other options available at that time slot, which I believe were elephant polo and curling.
When will the AJC step up and get some real sports writers on the payroll?
By Me
July 5, 2007 2:42 PM | Link to this
So none of you jugheads have an “off” button on your televisions?
By hotdogfan
July 5, 2007 2:51 PM | Link to this
Hey AJC, I have opinions and I am literate, sort of. Can I have a staff position and free tickets to football games?
By max
July 5, 2007 2:59 PM | Link to this
Golf is not a sport, just a game like chess, darts, or bowling, but it gets to be on tv all of the time.
By Chris
July 5, 2007 3:01 PM | Link to this
So what if people want to watch a hot dog eating contest? It’s entertainment, Bradley. Sport, no. Entertainment, yes.
What about “Everybody Loves Raymond”? What’s to be gained from watching that? Is it educational? Does it enrich your life somehow? It’s programming, dude. Don’t watch if you don’t want to.
By GT
July 5, 2007 3:14 PM | Link to this
The whole world has turned into a hot dog eating contest. These reality shows attract the freak show audience with no conscience to taste. Anything less is considered boring. To be boring is right up there with child molesting. People can’t drive in slow traffic because they are bored. The people obeying the limits are considered a national enemy. The guy with the TB really escaped the country because as he told his doctor I will go nuts sitting around here for three weeks. Going nuts and being bored are now the same thing and in this world of instant gratification it has become acceptable and even sympathized with
By David Duke
July 5, 2007 3:16 PM | Link to this
Fairy,
God love ya. If foreigners can win our hotdog eating contests and take our trophies off to Japan, then the terrorists have already won. You know Al queda celebrated when Mr. Nagasaki won our Nathan’s trophy six years running. You are one of those Americans who hates America and wants to give this land over to the unwashed horde of Christ haters. On the fourth of July, do you fly the flag of the Rising Sun? Hotdogs are American! Your German ancestors created the weenie. It was good old American ingenuity that put it between buns, covered it in mustard, ketchup, cheese, pickle relish, onions, chili and put chips on the side. Learn your American culinary history boy! Next you’ll want to tell me the Germans invented apple pie and baseball. Things are going to be a lot better when we build that wall around Mexico and deport all these taco merchants. We’ve got to make this a safer land for true hotdog lovin’ Americans. I’ll bet you don’t even like hotdogs. Too American for you. God bless the U. S. of A.
By JawjaHillbilly
July 5, 2007 3:22 PM | Link to this
No blood, no grunting, no cussing, no contact, no sport!! Well, the hotdog dudes/dudettes prolly grunt, cuss, and bleed, on the toilet afterward…
By Mark Bradley's a Fairy
July 5, 2007 3:39 PM | Link to this
Shouldn’t you be burning crosses in people’s yards?
By WW-4
July 5, 2007 3:41 PM | Link to this
IS WATCHING SPORTS A SPORT?
By Mikey
July 5, 2007 3:50 PM | Link to this
I watched the entire broadcast on ESPN and I’ve never laughed so hard in my life, especially when the contestants were being introduced (i.e. Daniel Boone). My favorite part was when the announcer actually said with about 30 seconds to go in the contest and I quote “this is the greatest moment in American sports history.” LOL!!!! Forget when the US Hockey team beat the Russians in the 1980 Olympics or all the medals won by Jessie Owens, Bruce Jenner, etc. none of that compares to the “Yellow Mustard Belt” LOL!!!!!!!
By David Duke
July 5, 2007 3:51 PM | Link to this
Fairy,
Cross burning is so last century and so unnecessary! Now, I just vote Republican. No klavern could ever have the success the G.O.P. has had. With God on our side we can make this land what it once was, a land where every righteous man is a king and every lackie a servant.
By Ray Cavender
July 5, 2007 4:03 PM | Link to this
Of course, a hot dog eating contest IS tasteless on all the counts you raise. However, neither you nor any of the commenters (I only read about half of the comments) mentioned the most tasteless factor: overeating as a “sport” shows extreme callousness toward the millions of hungry and undernourished people in the world. I’m not necessarily saying take the hot dogs and money & send it to disadvantaged people/nations. I’m just saying there’s something “Roman Empire-esque” about it. The Romans held food orgies where they would eat & then induce vomiting & then eat some more. It’s a sign of a declining civilization and a declining culture.
By Mark Bradley's a Fairy
July 5, 2007 4:04 PM | Link to this
I am a Republican, always voted right, and even worked numerous campaigns. However, being a racist does not make you a proud member of the GOP.
By Braves Fan 79
July 5, 2007 4:05 PM | Link to this
Mark bradley is a commi….
By Larry J
July 5, 2007 4:18 PM | Link to this
Get a grip, Mark. Before it comes on the air, each year, on ESPN, the screen shows “ESPN - American Events.”
This is an American event. Period.
One 30-minute show each year isn’t going to hurt anyone.
By gerri
July 5, 2007 4:30 PM | Link to this
this is in fact silly and very dangerous there is no telling what this may do to ones health and the fact that people find this entertaining is sicking. and please no matter what happens please please please do not consider this a sport. that is a fact “this isnt a sport!”
By David Duke
July 5, 2007 4:32 PM | Link to this
Fairy,
There is a possibility, probably quite remote, that you aren’t the most finely whetted implement in the cutlery drawer.
By Blind Homer
July 5, 2007 4:37 PM | Link to this
Vastly more entertaining than Tour de France, golf, or reading Mark Bradley’s moronic comments.
By van sky
July 5, 2007 4:39 PM | Link to this
Mark Bradley, you’re tasteless, colorless and odorless which makes you the perfect writer for the ‘bland’ capital of the universe. Join AAA, rent a car, drive to Chicago, New York, anyplace where the chick fil-a is not the center of the city’s culture, do whatever it takes to get a sense of humour and a life. Or you can always write another NASCAR story; we certainly need one more of those. You’re more repsonsible for acid reflux than ANY food eating contest. GO AWAY…..
By Kevin
July 5, 2007 4:39 PM | Link to this
Sport? No…but freakin hilarious…especially the commentator
By AJ
July 5, 2007 4:42 PM | Link to this
You get paid to write this stuff? Come on man, lighten up! It’s entertainment, just like baseball and football and basketball. You write “whats to be gained?” Well tell me whats to be gained from watching the Braves win, or the Hawks lose? Absolutely nothing. I thought the commentary was hilarious and well worth my 12 minutes!
By Mark Bradley is a Fairy
July 5, 2007 5:01 PM | Link to this
Ouch that hurt. Did you just google “big words” and implement them into your genius comment?
By David Duke
July 5, 2007 5:02 PM | Link to this
Mark,
You think any of these folks have ever heard of satiircal writing?
By David Duke
July 5, 2007 5:11 PM | Link to this
Fairy, unlike you, i don’t have to resort to googling a vocabulary. Get a life boy!
By Emly
July 5, 2007 5:23 PM | Link to this
i think we could take all those hot dog and give them to people who don’t have any food. i bet they will beat anyone in an eating contet. By the way, dont ask why other countries hate americans, a guy eating 66 hot dogs and then throwing them up, need i say more.
By The Original Me
July 5, 2007 5:26 PM | Link to this
One thing the hot dog contest has in common with other sports………MB don’t doesn’t know anything about it.
By The Original Me
July 5, 2007 5:28 PM | Link to this
You were paid for writing this????
By Rev Al
July 5, 2007 5:32 PM | Link to this
We need more brothers in this thang! How bout a fried chiken and Watamellon eatin contest!
By Lilburn Observer
July 5, 2007 5:34 PM | Link to this
Bradley, I hope I live long enough to see you write a column that is NOT showing your dislike or disgust with something!! If you are married, I would hate to be your wife who has to live with you. You really do need to see a counselor and receive some therapy (seriously) for your depressed attitude about everything.
By craiginnyc
July 5, 2007 6:27 PM | Link to this
Lighten up Mark. There are bigger problems in the world.
By Kin
July 5, 2007 6:56 PM | Link to this
This guy is such a hater. Sports is a matter of opinion. Bet your wife doesn’t get any hot dogs even on July 4th
By Kin
July 5, 2007 6:57 PM | Link to this
This guy is such a hater. Sports is a matter of opinion. Bet his wife doesn’t get any hot dogs even on July 4th
By John Ashcrofft
July 5, 2007 7:13 PM | Link to this
Hey, if you’re starving and undernourished, just enter the hot dog eating contest. There, I just solved the world hunger problem.
By JawjaHillbilly
July 5, 2007 7:46 PM | Link to this
I know this is slightly off-subject, but I think Don King has pretty cool hair…
By Hunter
July 5, 2007 8:25 PM | Link to this
For once, Bradley, I agree with you. As a youth coach for many years, I’ve watched how team sports have deteriorated because of the highlight-reel-generation created by ESPN highlights. They’ve also seemed to corner the market on colleege football influence, making USC the premiere football program in the country despite a lack of coverage on the east coast but a disproportionate amount of coverage via ESPN.
Now we have the WSOPoker and Hot DOg eating contests. I play poker and love it, but it ain’t a sport (and I’ve played in the WSOP). Since the leading cause of death and disease among Americans is fast becoming (or already is) obesity, why do we have a testament to overindulgence broadcast on a SPORTS network? Why not have the Marlboro Bowl Chain Smokers (BCS) tourney? Perhaps the unprotected sex March Madness bracket competition would be a wise idea! The World Series of Crack Dealers…coming this August to ESPN Deportes! How about the Daytona 500 Bottles of Beer DUI Pro-Am?
Holy hell, everything on TV is utter sh** anymore, anyway. It appeals to the lowest common denominator in this country, and, sadly enough, is slowly dragging all of us down to the same level. Why don’t we just go to the games or listen to the radio and give up on the idiot box? It generates more problems than solutions, anyway.
By Mark B
July 5, 2007 9:15 PM | Link to this
It’s a toss up between you and Terrence Moore as being the worst sports writers on the planet
By Matt
July 6, 2007 12:05 AM | Link to this
Poker is not a sport—it’s CARDS. Competitive eating is more of a sport than guys playing cards; if you have seen these eaters, they run and train more than the out of shape nerds that go to Vegas every year.
Have you seen Joy Chesnut or Kobayashi? Their in SHAPE.
By Najeh Davenpoop
July 6, 2007 12:07 AM | Link to this
“Eating is not a sport. Poker is not a sport. A spelling bee is not a sport. They’re competitions, yes, but they involve nothing athletic.”
Wouldn’t that apply to golf too?
By Blake
July 6, 2007 12:00 PM | Link to this
Lighten up, Francis.
By shaun
July 6, 2007 3:43 PM | Link to this
Driving doesn’t involve anything athletic either but they put auto races on tv every week of the year.