Carson “Collard Green” Hughes passes away at 49

December 28, 2008 at 5:15 pm by ojrifkin · More posts about:Health, Norfolk

IFOCE.com and WLOCE report that Carson “Collard Green” Hughes of Newport News, Virginia passed away on December 26 at the age of 49. DailyPress has Hughes’ obituary and information about his funeral services. “Collard Green” competed in the 2003 Nathan’s finals and was the subject of a long profile in the New York Times that year.

update The Erwin Record has a longer article about Hughes (from Rhonda Evans)

Comments (16)

16 Comments »

  1. Anonymous said

    December 28, 2008 @ 5:52 pm

    Unfortunately, it’s practically a given that “Rhonda Evans” will cheapen the solemnity of this post and insult the memory of Collard Green with some manufactured recollection of him, informed by whatever information she can cull from a Google search.

  2. Super Paul said

    December 28, 2008 @ 6:18 pm

    I never met Collard Green, but he was an inspiration to me when I started eating in my late 40’s. He made it to the Nathan’s finaIs, never an easy task, and he did it in his forties! My condolences to his family and friends – I wish I’d have met the man, he sounds like a great guy.

  3. Collard fan said

    December 28, 2008 @ 6:37 pm

    anonymous thats cold . She hasnt posted yet because its the weekend so lets not slam her just yet.

  4. anonymous said

    December 28, 2008 @ 6:43 pm

    IFOCE blackballed him for a short time because he went behind George Shea’s back to do this huge full page interview with the NY times or some other magazine i fail to recollect . Shea nearly had a shitfit when he found out about it. So so eater but a hugh inspiration and friend to everyone he met.

  5. Badlands Booker said (Registered October 9, 2008)

    December 28, 2008 @ 8:50 pm

    My Deepest Condolences to the Hughes Family. Collard Green was an Awesome guy and a good eater. I Still remember when he was on Steve Harvey’s Big Time pulling out the bottle of hot sauce to Steve Harvey’s amazement before devouring a pound of collard greens in 14 seconds! Rest in peace my friend.

  6. Badlands Booker said (Registered October 9, 2008)

    December 28, 2008 @ 9:02 pm

    You would of loved this guy Super Paul. Thanks Collard Green for Inspiring me as well.

    -That’s me, Badlands, Born and raised in Queens
    -Putting Buffets Out Of Business like Collard Green!

    From “All Day Buffet” off the Hungry & Focused 1 album.

  7. anonymous said

    December 28, 2008 @ 10:08 pm

    One of the few people in this world that took the time out to become friendly with Dale Boone. . With that said , Collard Green was a legend and friend to anyone no matter how bad they might appear to be.

  8. anonymous said

    December 28, 2008 @ 10:13 pm

    He reminded you of Goober from the andy griffith show especially the way he spoke. He once mentioned he was looking forward to making a comeback but it never happened. Real good decent man. RIP Collard

  9. Anonymous said

    December 29, 2008 @ 2:19 am

    You know him and Boone were the best of friends .
    We hear Boone is taking this pretty hard .

    It was Boone who won a contest for his sister in law .

  10. The Critic said

    December 29, 2008 @ 7:49 am

    I encourage all those who knew Collard Green, or any competitive eater, to leave a message in his guest book. He was a trailblazer in competitive eating, and all eaters, and eating fans owe him a debt of gratitude.

  11. Rhonda Evans said

    December 29, 2008 @ 7:58 am

    I only knew Carson by what I saw and read of him via his Web page, the NY Times article, his appearance on Steve Harvey’s Big Time, and the cameo lead-in to the Sonya-Jarvis ABC 20-20 segment a few years ago. The common thread that ran through all of them was his deep respect for his fellow man, love of competitive eating, and his competitive drive.

    His spirit was a kind, Godly one, and his family and loved ones continue to be in my thoughts and prayers. Though he’s not with us in body form, his spirit remains with all of us that he touched.

    One of God’s blessings for me was to have shared some time on this earth with Carson and others like him. Life is so sweet, and so precious.

  12. Anonymous said

    December 29, 2008 @ 9:34 am

    The article anoy 6:43 is referring to is from The NY times magazine 8/31/03, pages 24-27. I believe the “shitfit” was because in the photo Carson was wearing a head band that said “Collard Green” and not “IFOCE.” He was a great person and being on the big stage July 4, 2003 meant the world to him.

  13. a friend said

    December 30, 2008 @ 12:12 am

    I was close to Collard Green and his family and he was truly one of the most amazing people I have ever met in my life. He will never be forgotten because he left a lasting impression on everyone he met. And he was an awesome guitar player! Rest in peace Collard. I love you.

  14. Rhonda Evans said

    December 30, 2008 @ 2:31 pm

    Nice pic and story on Collard Green: http://www.erwinrecord.net/Detail.php?Cat=HOMEPAGE&ID=58573.

    That’s why he was/is loved so much. I can just hear George Shea saying, “Collard Gare-e-e-e-e-en!”

  15. Josh said

    November 22, 2018 @ 1:40 am

    Love and miss you uncle carson

  16. Anonymous said

    November 22, 2018 @ 5:59 pm

    Your uncle was a great person, Josh. As long as you remember him, he will always be with you.

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