Fans of the Fourth of July tradition of eating far too many hot dogs than one would think is humanly possible had to wait a little bit longer this year. The 2023 edition of the event found itself in an all-too familiar sports predicament: a lightning delay.
Joey Chesnut, the odds-on favorite to take home his 16th championship, and other competitors had to wait off-stage as rain and thunder ravaged the iconic Coney Island location.
MORE: 52 Major League Eating records that belong to Joey Chestnut
Viewers were absolutely devastated at having to wait to see hot dog buns dunked in various forms of liquid, but at least the jokes online were top-notch.
UPDATE: Because of the inclement weather, the 2023 men’s Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest was canceled, per ABC7 in New York. However, not long after the reported cancellation, ESPN announced that the contest was back on after a lengthy delay.
Lightning delay during the hot dog eating contest? WHY DON’T THEY JUST BUILD A RETRACTABLE ROOF FOR IT????
— Curtis Rogers (@AKidFromKent) July 4, 2023
Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest is in a lightning delay. pic.twitter.com/7NEaOIAGZ2
— Daily Grind Fantasy Sports (@DGFantasy) July 4, 2023
Lightning delay in the hot dog contest?!?!!! pic.twitter.com/Yv3yXXyDEQ
— Josh (@therealjoshf) July 4, 2023
"The Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest is currently in a lightning delay."pic.twitter.com/N9qDda6DI8
— Playmaker Betting (@playmakerbet) July 4, 2023
The Hot Dog Eating Contest being in a lightning delay makes it a sport. No debate.
— Deonte Epps (@DEppsRightStepS) July 4, 2023
A lightning delay… pic.twitter.com/ErEBsp4NIg
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) July 4, 2023
"Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest is currently in a lightning delay." pic.twitter.com/EDX89eiuVr
— FanDuel (@FanDuel) July 4, 2023
A lightning delay for Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest?!
(📷: @elongatedbean) pic.twitter.com/RU0UghbtZK
— DraftKings (@DraftKings) July 4, 2023
The hot dog eating contest being in a lightning delay is outrageous and un-American. #nathansfamous
— Shane Lantz (@ShaneMLantz) July 4, 2023
"The Hot Dog Eating Contest is currently in a lightning delay."pic.twitter.com/y60TD5Snxw
— Action Network (@ActionNetworkHQ) July 4, 2023
So, what exactly do eating contest contestants do during a lightning delay? Can't nibble on food like players during a baseball rain delay. Nap? Listen to your stomach growl? https://t.co/pEzU13VHzg
— Chris Pika (@BlogAndTackle) July 4, 2023
George Washington didn’t cross the Delaware River on Christmas night for the Hot Dog eating contest to be under a lightning delay
— Konnor Fulford (@FulfordKonnor) July 4, 2023
This is the worst 4th of July since 1775
— Bench Warmer Banter (@bwb_sports) July 4, 2023
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
— Kraze (@wannabekraze) July 4, 2023
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
I don't even recognize my country anymore https://t.co/cmWE46VpAv
— Mike Nelson (@mikenelson586) July 4, 2023
we survived an entire winter at Valley Forge but can't outlast with one thunderstorm https://t.co/5qhsw4cUWg
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) July 4, 2023
Mother Nature 1
Joey Chestnut 0 https://t.co/IUcS2T5kJT— Rich Eisen (@richeisen) July 4, 2023
I’m sorry….did George Washington cancel crossing the Delaware River due to lightning and weather conditions? What has happened to this country? https://t.co/6k0PNjsHxE
— Nick Yeoman (@NYeoman) July 4, 2023
