Video Clip of Competition Photo Gallery AMARILLO, Texas – Amarillo was the place to be on Sunday if you are a fan of food and record-breaking performances as something was done at The Big Texan that has never been done before. World Champion 120 lb. Molly Schuyler made her return and devoured the boss of all steak meals, not once, not twice, but a world-record setting three times. She was not alone in the contest; however, as former West Texas A&M football players
Emory Atterberry and Keith Null competed for a shot a $1,000 in front of a huge crowd that came out to see the "Gastronomic Showdown of Enormous Steaks".
"I will forever be a huge fan of my kids and always enjoy watching them compete…no matter what it is," said WT head football coach
Mike Nesbitt. "Today was a lot of fun and I want to thank Emory and Keith for being great sports. I also want to thank The Big Texan for the invitation to partake in this great event. It was just a whole bunch of Texas Panhandle fun this afternoon."
If you are not familiar with the infamous nationally renowned 72oz Steak Challenge here are a couple of quick hits you should know. Originally beginning 55 years ago, the rules have stayed the same. Challengers must consume the entire meal in one hour, consisting of one shrimp cocktail, baked potato, dinner rolls, side salad, and of course, the four-and-a-half pound steak. Winners earn the glory and a trip out the door without paying a dime; however, losers get tossed the $72 bill and join a large pool of failures that has preceded them.
In 2014, Schuyler, a Sacramento, Calif., native, devoured two of the dinners in under 15 minutes, including the first one in under five, beating out the prior record held by famous competitive eater Joey Chestnut. Schuyler felt ready for more and thus was born the 72oz Showdown on Sunday, an open and free event to the public and media.
Schuyler opened the competition up to four teams of two, featuring a married competitive eating couple, two professional wrestlers, two Amarillo Venom players (Nate Davis & Undra Hendrix), and of course representing WT, Atterberry and Null. Schuyler was offering $1,000 of her future winnings to any team able to conquer one steak meal before she did so herself. But 4 minutes and 18 seconds in it was clear that that would not happen as she devoured the first meal in record-setting time. Schuyler went on to clear out three entire meals in 20 minutes flat before teasing the crowd with a large bite of a fourth steak but calling the competition and walking out with the $6,000 purse.
Not to be overlooked by the show was the Buffalo team of Atterberry and Null who cleaned out the meal in a very impressive 20 minutes flat, something other teams failed to do. Nothing less was expected from the two as Atterberry is no stranger to the competitive eating stage. The Santa Fe, N.M., native set a record in high school for pancakes eaten in the state of New Mexico.
Atterberry completed his senior season in 2014. He played on an offensive line blocking for Harlon Hill runner-up quarterback and current member of the Dallas Cowboys Dustin Vaughan in 2012 and 2013 and this past season for running back
Geremy Alridge-Mitchell. Atterberry played in six games this past season and 39 for his career with 24 starts.
Null had a great career for the Buffs throwing for over 9,000 yards in two season as a starter. He earned all-conference honors as a junior and senior and threw for 4,134 yards with 41 touchdowns as a junior. Null graduated in 2009 and was a sixth round draft pick St. Louis Rams. He made his professional debut in week 14 of 2009 where he completed 27 of 43 passes for one touchdown in a loss to Tennessee. Null also played for the Carolina Panthers and Jacksonville Jaguars.
Footage of the 72oz Showdown is planned to be aired on one of the Food Network family stations at a date and time still to be determined. Schuyler also plans on coming back at a later date to attempt four 72oz steak meals in one hour for a $10,000 prize.
