Joey Chestnut Issues Statement After Getting Banned From Nathan's Hot Dog-Eating Contest

On Tuesday, the world learned the stunning news that Joey "Jaws" Chestnut — the greatest competitive eater on this planet (and probably several others — has been banned from the most famous competitive eating competition there is, the Nathan's Hot Dog-Eating Contest.

And — at least according to Chestnut's first comments since the news broke — he only found out about it today too.

Just over three weeks from the contest, The New York Post reported that the 16-time champ has been ruled out because of his ties to Impossible Food's brand of vegan hot dogs.

Chestnut took to Instagram where he told his side of the story (accompanied by a photo of him choking out a protester, which is hilarious).

Chestnut expressed his disappointment in the decision, and said he learned it himself from the media.

 "I love competing in that event, I love celebrating America with my fans all over this great country on the 4th and I have been training to defend my title," he wrote.

The competitive eating great also explained where the issue came up.

"To set the record straight, I do not have a contract with MLE or Nathan's and they are looking to change the rules from past years as it relates to other partners I can work with," he said,  "This is apparently the basis on which I’m being banned, and it doesn’t impact the July 4th contest. 

"Sadly, this is the decision Nathan's and Major League Eating are making and it will deprive the great fans of the holiday’s usual joy and entertainment," Chestnut wrote. "To my fans, I love you and appreciate you. Rest assured that you’ll see me eat again soon.  Stay tuned and STAY HUNGRY!"

Man, this stinks.

I think there's a case to be made that Joey Chestnut is one of the most dominant athletes of all time.

It's definitely a bummer that the GOAT won't be cramming hot dogs and buns down his gullet this year (unless he does it on his own time). The man has put on shows over the years. 

We'll see if he ever makes a triumphant return to the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition, but this year's edition certainly seems wide open if Chestnut is out of the picture.