Kingsford filed the petition on We The People, a government website that allows citizens to petition the government for change. To receive a response from the Trump Administration, the petition needs 100,000 signatures in 30 days. Also, to rally support, Kingsford will promote the petition at the Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest and the Big Apple Barbecue Block Party.

"We love burgers and dogs, but barbecue ribs are special. They gather people together like nothing else. We think it's high time to recognize these slow smoked slabs of goodness as our official national food," said Matt Gregory, general manager of Kingsford Charcoal. "As people gather around the grill this Memorial Day, we hope they'll be inspired to sign our petition and honor this centerpiece of barbecue, America's one true cuisine."

Wilfork, the two-time NFL champ, will help lead the charge with videos, photos and social media campaigns. In 2014 during a Memorial Day cookout, he became an Internet sensation when his family posted a video of Wilfork's viral "ribs dance."

"I'm passionate about football, family and food, and when it comes to barbecue, my go-to has always been ribs," Wilfork said. "I like to spend the whole day around the grill, slow cooking my meat to perfection while enjoying time with family and friends – whether tossing a football or having a one-man dance party."