Pork Rind Appreciation Day® is back and crunchier than ever! This year, Southern Recipe pork rinds teams up with NFL Hall of Famer Thurman Thomas for the 16th annual "It’s Crunch Time" campaign. As we gear up for the Big Game on February 9, fans can visit PorkRinds.com for a chance to win an incredible grand prize: a travel package to the 2026 Super Bowl in Santa Clara, California, complete with game tickets, airfare, hotel accommodations, and a year’s supply of pork rinds.
The Porky Beginnings
The tradition began in 2009, when Rudolph Foods introduced Pork Rind Appreciation Day® to celebrate the beloved snack. Fueled by America’s love of football and pork rinds, the day quickly became a sensation. Its mission went beyond flavor, as the inaugural celebration supported the Wounded Warrior Project, laying the foundation for Pork Rind Appreciation Day® to combine good food with good deeds.
Iconic Campaigns Through the Years
2012: Pork Rind Appreciation Day® gained momentum with over 100,000 fans voting to make the day official. Ohio Governor John Kasich gave his endorsement, cementing the holiday.
2013: The event’s first contest offered fans a chance to win a party and a 50” Plasma TV, with NFL legend Dennis McKinnon as spokesperson.
2014: Fans chose their flavor allegiance—"Team Spicy" or "Team Smooth"—in a flavorful showdown led by NFL stars Lem Barney and Dennis McKinnon.
2018: Billy “White Shoes” Johnson brought flair to the celebration with "Gridiron Groovin’," where fans created their own touchdown dances.
2023: The "Sacks for Snacks" campaign gave away pork rinds based on weekly quarterback sacks, with Hall of Famer Carl Eller and NFL legend Mike Golic leading the charge.
Last year’s "Pass the Pigskin" celebration paired football and pork rinds in a big way, featuring NFL Hall of FamersSteve Largent and Kellen Winslow, Sr. Largent, the first receiver to achieve 100 touchdown receptions, and Winslow, known for his record-breaking 89 catches in 1980, added star power to the campaign. Fans competed for a $15,000 grand prize and a 15-month supply of Southern Recipe Small Batch pork rinds, making the 15th year unforgettable.
2025: The 16th Annual Celebration
This year, the "It’s Crunch Time" campaign continues the legacy of fun, flavor, and philanthropy. Southern Recipe pork rinds and Thurman Thomas are proud to support the Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund, which provides financial and medical support for former NFL players facing post-career challenges. The grand prize stakes are higher than ever, promising an unforgettable Super Bowl experience to one lucky winner.
Celebrate With Us!
Whether you’re a snack enthusiast or a football fanatic, this is your chance to be part of the crunchiest celebration yet.
Don’t wait—visit PorkRinds.com now to join the fun, enter the sweepstakes, and help make this year’s Pork Rind Appreciation Day® the best one yet. It’s Crunch Time!