Fan Central Mailbag: Joey Chestnut vs. Twinkies on ESPN3; ESPN tours; GameDay

Before we get to your questions, just a few quick programming reminders for the weekend:

• The NBA on ESPN continues tonight with a doubleheader featuring the Memphis Grizzlies – led by Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph – visiting the Oklahoma City Thunder with Serge Ibaka and Reggie Jackson (8 p.m. ET), followed by the Cleveland Cavaliers and LeBron James visiting the Denver Nuggets and Kenneth Faried (10:30 p.m.). NBA Countdown tips the night off at 7:30 p.m.

• You’ve seen him win the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest on ESPN. Tomorrow, watch Twinkie-eating champion Joey Chestnut defend his title when ESPN3 presents the World Twinkie Eating Championship (2 p.m.) for the first time.

• Tomorrow’s college football action on ESPN networks will feature three of the top four teams in the College Football Playoff rankings: No. 1-ranked Mississippi State takes on Tennessee Martin (4 p.m., SEC Network); No. 2-ranked Florida State meets Virginia (6:30 p.m., ESPN); and No. 4-ranked Oregon plays Utah (10:30 p.m., ESPN). An ABC national doubleheader will feature Notre Dame versus Arizona State (3:30 p.m.), followed by Ohio State versus Michigan State (8 p.m.).

Now on to your questions…

I am writing to inquire about a letter read on College GameDay held in Starkville, Miss. before the Mississippi State versus Auburn game on Oct. 11. The subject was about the state of Mississippi (past and present) and I did not get a chance to hear who composed it. Could you please let me know who wrote it and how to get a copy of it? — Mary
Mary, the author of the essay was ESPN senior writer and Mississippi native Wright Thompson. In this video, Thompson explains what the football resurgence in Mississippi means to local residents and why it provides them with a sense of pride that goes beyond what is taking place on the football field.

Do you offer any type of studio tour at your Bristol location? — Matt
Matt, we don’t offer tours of ESPN’s campus to the public, however we encourage you to check out our seven-part tour series which shows what being at ESPN is really like (see sidebar).

What’s the name of the basketball woman you showed on SportsCenter on Oct. 28 at 4 p.m.? — John
John, we believe you are referring to the SportsCenter conversation between San Antonio Spurs assistant coach Becky Hammon and ABC’s Good Morning America host and former SportsCenter anchor Robin Roberts. In August, the San Antonio Spurs hired former WNBA All-Star Hammon as an assistant coach; she became the first female as a full-time assistant coach in NBA history. Watch the entire conversation with Hammon on espnW’s “In the Game with Robin Roberts.”