This is too good to pass up. In qualifying for the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest, Joey Chestnut (pictured) downed 50 hot dogs and buns in 12 minutes. This was last week at the Las Vegas qualifier. It is an American record. You can see a complete story on ESPN. Something I just learned in researching this story is that there is an organization called the International Federation of Competitive Eating. In regards to the Joey Chestnut record, IFOCE President Richard Shea said “This is the greatest thing to happen in the history of American sports. Joey Chestnut’s accomplishment may change the course of a nation.”

Uh, yeah, right. I’m not saying this isn’t exciting but then I’m not saying it is either. But then maybe all of America is waiting with bated breath as we hope to take back the trophy from the guy who shows up every year from Japan to thrash the competition. Takeru Kobayashi holds the world record of 53 1/2 and he’s won the last 5 contests.

At least they’re consuming multiple agricultural commodities. Nathan’s hot dogs are beef and then there’s the bun.