By Darin 
November 27, 1948, set the stage for one of the greatest upsets—or non-upsets—in the storied history of the Army-Navy rivalry. The undefeated, No. 3 Army Black Knights arrived at Municipal Stadium in Philadelphia as massive 21-point favorites over the struggling 0-8 Navy Midshipmen. The 102,500 fans gathered that day, including President Truman, Chief Justice Vinson, and much of the Cabinet, expected a blowout. What they witnessed instead was an unexpected lesson in resilience and the great equalizer of gridiron history: food poisoning.
The Black Knights’ Thanksgiving celebration turned into an internal disaster when 42 players were struck down with severe food poisoning. Though the players recovered enough to take the field, their strength, conditioning, and focus were severely compromised. Suddenly, the overwhelming advantage held by the 8-0 Army team vanished, giving the winless Midshipmen a fighting chance.
What followed was a taut, dramatic contest that defied the experts and the pre-game odds. Navy played with the desperation of a team fighting for pride, while Army battled not only the Midshipmen’s defense but the lingering effects of sickness. The game remained tight, a back-and-forth battle that was far more competitive than anyone had anticipated.
In the final, tense minutes of the fourth quarter, Navy mounted a decisive drive. With just 4 minutes and 42 seconds left on the clock, the Midshipmen punched the ball across the goal line for a crucial touchdown. The score brought the game level at 21-21.
The final whistle confirmed the stunning result: a tie. For the 0-8 Midshipmen, it was the moral equivalent of a major victory, saving their season and upholding the pride of the Academy. For the Black Knights, it was a dramatic setback that cost them a likely shot at a perfect season and a national championship. The 1948 tie remains a legendary, high-stakes chapter where a holiday meal nearly brought down a dynasty.