LEFTOVERS: Chestnut tastes rare setback

Throughout sports history, every legend has had that moment when the realization sets in that a younger, hungrier competitor has passed him by.

It’s bittersweet to watch.

Sure, excitement is stirred for all the fresh talent the newcomer brings to the table. But it’s also sad to think back on all the accomplishments and records the veteran has devoured.

That moment might have taken place in Los Angeles last weekend as America’s most dominant athlete tasted bitter defeat.

Yes, Joey Chestnut, the winner of the past seven Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contests at Coney Island, finally might have had that moment when he sees the time to pass the mustard is near.

Chestnut forced down 251 pot stickers in 10 minutes at the World Gyoza Eating Championships in Los Angeles but was bested by Matt Stonie’s record-setting 268.

Chestnut, 29, previously held the world record with 266.

Stonie, 19, emerged on the scene in 2011. Now ranked No. 4 in the world, he is the youngest member of the Major League Eating organization.

Experts have concluded it’s only a matter of time before he surpasses Chestnut, but few thought it could happen this soon.

Still, nothing really matters until July 4 in Brooklyn, N.Y., when the hot dogs and soggy buns are flying fast and furious on the boardwalk.

But this loss surely will be tough to stomach for Chestnut.

■ WHAT??!! — It might come as a surprise that 41-year-old hockey great Jaromir Jagr has a Facebook account.

People of his generation often find fancy computer machines difficult to figure out. What he posted on his page this week was even more shocking, though.

Jagr offered thoughts about his diet and training regimen to those who connect with him on the social media platform.

In the post came this stunner.

“It looks like it will be my last season, so I can’t be too risky,” according to a translation posted by Yahoo!

What? He still plays?

Who knew?

■ OOPS! — The Internet went crazy the past few days ridiculing the author of an article on AL.com, the website of The Birmingham News, for what was deemed a sexist lead by commenters, bloggers and social media users alike.

The article was written to promote “Girls of Fall: A Night of Food, Fashion and Football,” in which Alabama females can get primers on football, preparing tailgate food and developments in gameday attire.

The problem with the article came in the first sentence.

“Football can be a confusing and often vexing concept, especially for women,” David Holloway wrote.

Predictably, a firestorm was set off. Within a few hours, the “especially for women” portion of the lead had been removed and a disclaimer placed on the story.

“Update: This story has been edited to remove incorrect and offensive assumptions about women and football. We apologize for the error in judgment.”

It was the right thing to do. An apology was necessary.

But women probably should have been more offended that organizers deemed it necessary to include cooking tips and fashion advice in the seminar.

COMPILED BY ADAM HILL LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL