From Tom Brady to Bartolo Colon, here’s 13 athletes we’d love to see in Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest

The great ones have tried other sports. Michael Jordan tried baseball. Stephen Curry has played in professional golf events. Tim Tebow has gone from football to baseball. 

Now, it’s time to see some of the world’s most chiseled (and not-so-chiseled) athletes pass on the meal prep and everyday calories in order to give America’s most underrated sport (ahem, competitive eating) a go. 

Think Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest isn’t a sport? Try telling that to Joey Chestnut or Takeru Kobayashi.

To celebrate this July 4, here are 13 athletes we’d love to see in the country’s most popular eating contest: 

Rob Gronkowski, former NFL tight end

Rob Gronkowski has the, uh, drive, to make a dent in a hot dog eating contest. (Photo: Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports)

Known for eating a peanut butter and jelly sandwich before every Patriots game and maintaining a strict diet, Gronkowski’s life-of-the-party, beer-chugging personality pave way for legit fast eating prowess. However, he did just lose a lot of weight. 

THE NEXT MIKE TROUT?: Yankees’ latest international signing could be huge

BAD TIMING: Opinion: Trump picked wrong time for rift with USWNT

Charles Barkley, ex-NBA player

OK, does this really need an explainer. Barkley’s hilarious, and clearly loves to eat. Case and point: In January, Barkley listed out his steak, chicken, pizza and donuts diet. Then when pitched a meatless burger, he replied, “They got a name for people who don’t eat meat — damn fools.” 

After watching Steven Adams’ steak commercial, Chuck lists all his favorite foods … ????? pic.twitter.com/AxcdbDW8PL

— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) January 18, 2019

Tom Brady, New England Patriots QB 

The TB12 Method features an almost all plant-based diet and has allowed Brady to exercise a fountain of youth. So watching the dude chug some hot dogs would be epic because the 41-year-old QB doesn’t look like he has many cheat days. 

Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans rookie

The 285-pound turns 19 on Saturday (meaning the entire time he was dunking on dudes in the NCAA he was 18), and he checks in as the second heaviest player in the NBA. We suspect he can put down some food. 

Damon Harrison, Detroit Lions defensive tackle

He’s 342 pounds and literally nicknamed “snacks.”

Megan Rapinoe, USWNT player

At this rate, what can’t she do? 

Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs QB

The 23-year-old NFL MVP has shown he’s also a decent basketball player, and any competition would suit him. He’s been touting his body transformation as of late — saying goodbye to “baby fat” — which he’d put right back on in an eating contest. 

Ronda Rousey, pro wrestler and former MMA fighter

The brutality of her MMA career and showmanship of her WWE experience would prep her for an eating contest. 

Conor McGregor, MMA fighter

If McGregor can box Floyd Mayweather Jr., he can definitely take on Chestnut and maybe start a brawl in the process. 

John Daly, professional golfer

Daly has confessed to smoking two packs of cigarettes and drinking 15 sodas a day. His fondness for Diet Coke would be a fitting thirst quencher to go with numerous hot dogs.  

Bartolo Colon, MLB pitcher

Known as the “Big Sexy,” the Dominican-American checks in around 300 pounds on the scale and already has rib-eating contest experience. 

Stay stoked throughout the @MLB playoffs and beyond. #NoOffseasonpic.twitter.com/QaaH44krSD

— Kingsford Charcoal (@Kingsford) September 26, 2018

Zdeno Chára, Boston Bruins defenseman

The 6-9 Slovakian is the tallest player to ever skate in the NHL. He also looks like he’s hungry. A lot. 

David Bakhtiari, Green Bay Packers offensive lineman

The 310-pound tackle can chug beer like a champ, so hot dogs would only complement the beverage. Right?  Plus, he could dip the buns in the beer. 

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.