As has become a great American tradition, Joey Chestnut again won Nathan’s annual hot dog contest on Monday. But by winning his 15th title in 16 years on July 4, Chestnut had to face an unexpected protester who made his way onto the stage while the 38-year-old was eating.
Instead of implicating security with the incident, Chestnut took charge of the matter by putting the protester, who was wearing Star Wars costumes, with a lock before throwing him aside and continuing to eat.
But on Tuesday, Chestnut told USA TODAY Sports that he wished he had not behaved this way with the protester, calling it a “regrettable” situation.
“As soon as I grabbed the boy, I realized he was a kid,” Chestnut told USA TODAY Sports. “Then I felt bad. I was just excited, I was just focused on eating again.… It’s a shame.”
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The protester was identified as 21-year-old Scott Gilbertson, who was charged with criminal rape and disorderly conduct and harassment according to the New York Police Department. Gilbertson was part of a trio of protesters carrying signs that said “Expose Smithfield’s Death Star,” a protest against pork producer Smithfield Foods.
Since Gilbertson was wearing a mask, he said he hadn’t realized he had made his way next to Chestnut. After putting a lock on his head, Gilbertson told USA TODAY Sports that he thought Chestnut was a “security guard” and that he felt Chestnut’s reaction was unnecessary.
“I was surprised,” Gilbertson told USA TODAY Sports.
Chestnut ate 63 hot dogs in the contest, 13 less than last year, but still 15.5 more than runner-up Jeffrey Esper, to win the event for the seventh year in a row.