A Nathan’s hot dog eating contest was halted by a protester dressed as Darth Vader and brandishing a banner that said “Reveal Smithfield’s Death Star.”
Smithfield is a food company and an American pork producer and food-processing firm headquartered in Smithfield, Virginia, and a wholly-owned subsidiary of WH Group.
What Happened To Smithfield Death Star Protest Reddit?
If you happened to watch the Nathan contest, you could have observed a protestor climb on stage with a banner that screamed: “reveal Smithfield Death Star.”
However, it looks like he was hiding the “S,” leaving just “mithfiled” exposed. Sporting News believed that the protestor was most likely alluding to Smithfield Foods, a Smithfield, Virginia-based American pig producer and food-processing corporation.
These companies were embroiled in controversy in the past.
PETA even published a statement condemning the corporation for its brutality to animals. According to VOX, once it was uncovered that the firm was utilizing gestation boxes on mother pigs, the corporation published a statement about making its meat more compassionate.
Meanwhile, the “death star” mentioned in the article is a reference to Star Wars. This connection is hardly surprising given that the protestor was also wearing a Darth Vader mask.
Protesters dressed in Star Wars attire attacked the platform, waving posters. Chestnut has no desire to be taken off his stride. Rather than enlisting the assistance of event security, he handled the matter himself.
Chestnut promptly seized the protestor in a headlock and tossed him aside before continuing with the hot dog eating routine. He concluded the day with 63 hot dogs consumed.
Joey Chestnut Wins Nathan’s Contest Even After Choking A Protestor
Joey Chestnut wins Nathan’s contest in the men’s division, while Miki Sudo took first place in the women’s category. Joey’s 15th victory came after he also won the title the previous year.
Despite having to pause for a time when the protestor mounted the stage, Joey managed to stay ahead of the game and take home the winning prize once more.
Chestnut, not to be outdone, promptly turned and choked the fan before returning to his plate. It happened in a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it kind of way.
Each category’s winner receives a $10,000 award. Meanwhile, the second-place finisher receives $5,000, the third-place finisher receives $2,500, the fourth-place finisher receives $1,500, and the fifth-place finisher receives $1,000.
Chestnut has already won the annual frank fest for the seventh straight season and the 15th time in the last 16. But this is the first time he has had to cope with a stage invader (and an injured leg).
Joey Chestnut Was On Crutches At The Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest
Joey Chestnut staggers onto the stage at Coney Island on Monday on crutches and a cast on his right leg for the annual July 4th tradition.
He is the greatest competitive hot dog eater in human history, having triumphed despite two major obstacles: his injured leg and a protester.
The man who pulled down 76 hot dogs and buns in 2021 to establish the record yet again had a ruptured tendon, although the source of his ailment is yet unknown.