ST. JOHN'S, Antigua, June 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Former NFL star William "The
Refrigerator" Perry served notice to the sport of competitive eating on
Saturday, winning a qualifying contest for the Nathan's Famous Fourth of July
International Hot Dog Eating Contest and earning a spot in the annual summer
classic in Coney Island. BetWWTS.com, a leading offshore gaming company for
over 10 years, will serve as The Fridge's official sponsor for his appearance
in the Nathan's Famous event.
The exclusive sports book of the 2003 Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating
Competition, BetWWTS.com has "The Fridge" opening as a 100-to-1 shot to win the contest. The bookmaker also lists Perry as a 50/1 long shot to break the American record of 30 hot dogs and at 100/1 to break the world record of 50 1/2 hot dogs.
"The Fridge," who weighs in at nearly 400 pounds, has his sights set on reigning world champion Takeru Kobayashi, who at 130 pounds -- less than a third of Perry's size -- consumed 50 1/2 hot dogs and buns in 12 minutes last
year. BetWWTS.com has the considerably larger Perry receiving a 40-hot-dog handicap from Kobayashi in a head-to-head match up.
"This gives William Perry the chance to follow in the footsteps of other two-sport stars like Bo Jackson and Deion Sanders," said Richard Shea, spokesman for Nathan's Famous. "Competitive eating requires a unique combination of athleticism and discipline, and only time will tell if Perry's talent on the gridiron will carry over to Coney Island."
Perry gained international notoriety during his rookie year in the NFL with the Chicago Bears. Through that 16-1 rookie season, his 9 year NFL career, and now eight years in retirement, The Fridge has maintained his
status as one of football's most beloved big-men. His Super Bowl ring remains the largest ever made and his popularity continues to grow.
"As a rookie participating in the Super Bowl of competitive eating, the odds are stacked against me bringing home the championship. But just as the NFL found out in 1985 when I entered the league and scored a touchdown during
a Super Bowl victory, the world of competitive eating is about to be turned upside-down by The Fridge," said William Perry. "I'd like to thank BetWWTS.com for their support in my attempt to win a championship in one of my other
lifelong loves -- eating."
Competitive Eating fans can visit BetWWTS.com for information on qualified competitors for the 2003 contest, history of the Nathan's Famous event and the growing sport of Competitive Eating. BetWWTS.com will have official betting
lines on the 2003 Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Contest available unti 11 a.m. Eastern on July 4th, an hour before the start of the contest.
The Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Championship is held each year on July 4th at the original Nathan's Famous location at Surf and Stillwell Avenues in Coney Island, NY. An official weigh-
in and certification ceremony is held at New York City Hall on July 3rd.
Held every year since 1916, the contest draws the finest competitive
eaters from around the world to battle for the coveted Mustard Yellow Championship Belt, the World Cup of competitive eating. For the past two
years, Takeru Kobayashi of Japan has won the Fourth of July contest. In 2002, Kobayashi set a new world record by downing 50 and 1/2 Nathan's Famous hot dogs and buns in 12 minutes.
http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=SVBIZINK2.story&STORY=/www/story/06-18-2003/0001967512&EDATE=WED+Jun+18+2003,+09:09+AM
Refrigerator" Perry served notice to the sport of competitive eating on
Saturday, winning a qualifying contest for the Nathan's Famous Fourth of July
International Hot Dog Eating Contest and earning a spot in the annual summer
classic in Coney Island. BetWWTS.com, a leading offshore gaming company for
over 10 years, will serve as The Fridge's official sponsor for his appearance
in the Nathan's Famous event.
The exclusive sports book of the 2003 Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating
Competition, BetWWTS.com has "The Fridge" opening as a 100-to-1 shot to win the contest. The bookmaker also lists Perry as a 50/1 long shot to break the American record of 30 hot dogs and at 100/1 to break the world record of 50 1/2 hot dogs.
"The Fridge," who weighs in at nearly 400 pounds, has his sights set on reigning world champion Takeru Kobayashi, who at 130 pounds -- less than a third of Perry's size -- consumed 50 1/2 hot dogs and buns in 12 minutes last
year. BetWWTS.com has the considerably larger Perry receiving a 40-hot-dog handicap from Kobayashi in a head-to-head match up.
"This gives William Perry the chance to follow in the footsteps of other two-sport stars like Bo Jackson and Deion Sanders," said Richard Shea, spokesman for Nathan's Famous. "Competitive eating requires a unique combination of athleticism and discipline, and only time will tell if Perry's talent on the gridiron will carry over to Coney Island."
Perry gained international notoriety during his rookie year in the NFL with the Chicago Bears. Through that 16-1 rookie season, his 9 year NFL career, and now eight years in retirement, The Fridge has maintained his
status as one of football's most beloved big-men. His Super Bowl ring remains the largest ever made and his popularity continues to grow.
"As a rookie participating in the Super Bowl of competitive eating, the odds are stacked against me bringing home the championship. But just as the NFL found out in 1985 when I entered the league and scored a touchdown during
a Super Bowl victory, the world of competitive eating is about to be turned upside-down by The Fridge," said William Perry. "I'd like to thank BetWWTS.com for their support in my attempt to win a championship in one of my other
lifelong loves -- eating."
Competitive Eating fans can visit BetWWTS.com for information on qualified competitors for the 2003 contest, history of the Nathan's Famous event and the growing sport of Competitive Eating. BetWWTS.com will have official betting
lines on the 2003 Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Contest available unti 11 a.m. Eastern on July 4th, an hour before the start of the contest.
The Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Championship is held each year on July 4th at the original Nathan's Famous location at Surf and Stillwell Avenues in Coney Island, NY. An official weigh-
in and certification ceremony is held at New York City Hall on July 3rd.
Held every year since 1916, the contest draws the finest competitive
eaters from around the world to battle for the coveted Mustard Yellow Championship Belt, the World Cup of competitive eating. For the past two
years, Takeru Kobayashi of Japan has won the Fourth of July contest. In 2002, Kobayashi set a new world record by downing 50 and 1/2 Nathan's Famous hot dogs and buns in 12 minutes.
http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=SVBIZINK2.story&STORY=/www/story/06-18-2003/0001967512&EDATE=WED+Jun+18+2003,+09:09+AM
