Los Angeles Chargers defensive end Morgan Fox picked up one of the biggest victories of his life on Thanksgiving.
No, the Chargers didn’t play Thursday, but Fox won another fierce competition that day. His 3-year-old French Bulldog, Winston, won “Best in Show” at the 21st Annual National Dog Show.
OK, technically, the show was pre-recorded, and Fox had already learned the good news. But the rest of the world saw Fox’s dog in action Thursday. His win is obviously a huge feat in the canine world, and Fox, co-owner of the decorated dog, deserves a large part of the credit for helping raise him as a puppy.
The National Dog Show is witnessed each year by more than 20 million viewers. By comparison, the Kansas City Chiefs‘ win Sunday night over Fox’s Chargers drew 17.9 million viewers. So this is the Super Bowl of dog shows.
Winston has been the top dog in many other competitions. In fact, his win in the big event marks his 78th Best in Show title in all competitions, making him the No. 1 ranked all-breed canine in the U.S.
One of the dog show analysts noted that Winston “runs like a little linebacker.”
Winston’s handler and co-owner, Perry Payson, drew a big response from the crowd at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center.
“He is a show dog with personality and beauty and a perfect fit for the breed,” best in show judge Vicki Seiler-Cushman said in a statement (via the New York Post). “He has a razzle dazzle that says, ‘I am here to win tonight.’ You can tell that he can also go home and be the perfect pet.”
Now it’s up to Fox to match Winston’s winning tradition. The Chargers are 5-5 entering play this weekend as they’re likely fighting for a wild-card spot in the competitive AFC.
About Arthur Weinstein
Arthur spends his free time traveling around the U.S. to sporting events, state and national parks, and in search of great restaurants off the beaten path.