Sports Illustrated’s NFL writer criticizes competitive eating
Sports Illustrated NFL writer Peter King trashes Nathan’s hot dog eating contest in his blog-type column this week. The commenters on this Football Outsiders forum thread generally disagree with King’s opinion:
If Peter King really cares about the malnourished kids in Coney Island, he should be campaigning for the NFL to save the lavish free buffets for the press that have him at a solid 200+ and he can walk around the town giving out box lunches. Otherwise he should shut the **** up.
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L-Con said
July 25, 2006 @ 9:28 am
Eating’s biggest hang up is sports writers like these. They like they’re better than everyone and would never disgrace themselves by saying something positive about eating. Everytime they bad mouth it there are always fans to support it though eventually they’ll have to act like they like it, almost like watching golf.
beautifulbrian said
July 25, 2006 @ 11:34 am
IFOCE put up its new rankings. Obviously there are names that were moved up that should have been moved down . I have learned to ignore it because aside from the top 9 they really dont know what the hell they are doing or this is just a ploy to piss people off. I rest my case!
Eating GOOOOD, Very GOOOOOD- said
July 25, 2006 @ 12:06 pm
To The Editor,
From Peter King’s “Ten Things I Think I Think”
You know what I hate? Eating contests. Like that stupid ESPN hot-dog eating contest on July 4. And I hate how ESPN glorifies gluttony, showing replays of idiots stuffing their faces with hot dogs. Kids are starving in the same town that contest is held, and here we are, watching replays of life-wasting dolts eating 50 hot dogs. Talk about the decline of civilization.
First off, not for nothing Petey looks a little overweight, perhaps he should send all the extra food he eats ;but doesn’t really need to eat; to the starving kids of Coney Island.
Second off, with a just a little digging one can find the positives in eating contests, as documented in this news article–
http://www.battlecreekenquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060716/NEWS01/607160301&SearchID=73251057952232
Call me an optimist, but I like to look at the positives of most situations. I have found competitive eating to be an absolute positive on my life. Aside from meeting many great people and experiencing many great and new places, foods, and events; it has forced me to think about my health and how great it is to live in America. I don’t know if Pete’s comments were posted mostly to bash ESPN, but a look a bit deeper would’ve revealed some positives which were overlooked. If one would like to discuss the true decline of civilization, one should dig deeper into the criminal athletes, musicians and rappers who are glorified and praised by the media and other outlets in search of the mighty dollar. If Mr. King really cared about the kids of NY, perhaps he should do something about it, instead of just bashing those out to have good wholesome fun.
Although I am indifferent to the plight of the IFOCE (as I am an eater with AICE, Competitiveeaters.com), I think it should be pointed out that Nathans donated hotdogs to the homeless of NY. And often times eating contests are often held to benefit non-profit organizations.
Visit Competitiveeaters.com to experience a competitive eating organization with a heart as big as it’s stomach.
Bombard the Editor!!.... said
July 25, 2006 @ 12:15 pm
letters@si.timeinc.com
This is the editor listed to contact for SI.–Everyone who cares–send an email to that address condemning Peter King for his IGNORANCE on the subject.
Rhonda Evans said
July 27, 2006 @ 11:02 am
I think Peter’s jealous because he can’t eat more than a couple of dogs.