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This is Defector, a new sports blog and media company. We made this place together, we own it together, we run it together. Without access, without favor, without discretion, and without interference.

Defector

David Roth

Dallas Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy seeming to look side-eyed at The Distraction logo at upper left, in a photo taken before the team's Wild Card loss to the Green Bay Packers.

Podcasts

There Is Some Crying In Football, With Ray Ratto

Maitreyi Anantharaman

PWHL

Grace Zumwinkle And Minnesota Are Breaking Free

Giri Nathan

This Is So Stupid

Deandre Ayton Could Have Scooted On His Butt

<p>Columnist. Author of many <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Drew-Magary/e/B001JS8R52/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_book_1">fine works of literature</a>, including <em>Point B</em>. Handsomest man in the world.</p>


Drew Magary

That's what Paul Brown, new mentor of Ohio State University's buckeyes, probably is telling his charges as he outlines one of his pet plays. Brown was former grid coach at Massillon, Ohio, High School, Here his teams won national recognition. His Buckeyes play Missouri here on Sept. 27.

I Am The Coach Now


<p>Dan McQuade was a founding member of Defector. He died in January 2026.</p>


Dan McQuade

UConn’s Donovan Clingan high-fives a teammate after scoring as the UConn crowd behind him goes wild

College Basketball

UConn Might Be Unbeatable When Locked In On Defense

Ray Ratto

Mike McCarthy of the Dallas Cowboys looks on from the field prior to an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Green Bay Packers at AT&amp;T Stadium on January 14, 2024 in Arlington, Texas.

Mike McCarthy Must Be Doing Something Right

<p>Staff Writer</p>
<p>Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19</p>


Chris Thompson

The Pacers And Raptors Help Each Other To Escape The Play-In

Israel Daramola

Journalismism

Music Journalism Can’t Afford A Hollowed-Out Pitchfork

Iga Swiatek slides in her second-round Australian Open match

Tennis

Iga Swiatek Survived Danielle Collins’s Haymakers

Patrick Redford

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 16: Paul George #13 of the Los Angeles Clippers celebrates after a three-point basket during the fourth quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Crypto.com Arena on January 16, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)

Paul George Makes The Clippers Terrifying

<div>Nate Jackson is a former NFL tight end and author of <a href="https://bookshop.org/p/books/slow-getting-up-a-story-of-nfl-survival-from-the-bottom-of-the-pile-nate-jackson/6430451?gclid=Cj0KCQjwpc-oBhCGARIsAH6ote9JzWMngZDpSjF2eoL1_JlyPm2QhDfkNgOzqvaB4n9ic0qqUNQ4iCwaAsasEALw_wcB"><em>Slow Getting Up</em></a>. He lives in Denver.</div>
<div></div>


Nate Jackson

CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE, CO - OCTOBER 13: Former Denver Broncos head coach Mike Shanahan poses for a portrait at his home on Wednesday, October 13, 2021. Shanahan, who won back to back Super Bowls as Denver’s head coach in the 1990s, will be inducted into the team’s ring of fame during the Broncos’ matchup with the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

In Search Of The Shanahan Offense

Lauren Theisen

Yegor Sharangovich celebrates on the ice after the OT win

Well, Well, Well, Look Who’s Come Crawling Back (It’s The Calgary Flames)

We Must Stop The Phrase “Super Wild Card Weekend” Before It Spreads

Sumit Nagal celebrates a point at the Australian Open

Sumit Nagal Broke A Huge Serve, Is No Longer Broke

Barry Petchesky

EDMONTON, CANADA - JANUARY 16: John Tavares #91 of the Toronto Maple Leafs collides with goaltender Stuart Skinner #74 of the Edmonton Oilers as they both lay in the net during the game at Rogers Place on January 16, 2024, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Andy Devlin/NHLI via Getty Images)

The Left-For-Dead Oilers Are The NHL’s Hottest Team

A beautiful Streaked Shearwater in flight seen in the sea of Toshima.

Creaturefector

Get Ready With Me (A Streaked Shearwater)

Harvey Weinstein and James Dolan at House of Elyx on December 13, 2015 in New York City. Dolan has a drink in his hand.

Music

Lawsuit Accuses James Dolan And Harvey Weinstein Of Sexual Assault

Jordan Poole scratches his head during the loss.

The Wizards Leave You Nothing To Root For But The Other Guys

The Ray Ratto raffle winners, along with Ray Ratto and Patrick Redford, enjoying some lobster from a truck.

Announcements

We Have Successfully Subjected Two Of You To The Ray Ratto Experience


<p>Corey Atad is a freelancer writer based in Toronto with an unhealthy Air Bud obsession.</p>


Corey Atad

Nathan Fielder and Emma Stone in The Curse

Arts And Culture

‘The Curse’ Showed Just Enough To Unsettle

PARIS, FRANCE - JANUARY 21: A guest wears a black shiny leather crocodile print pattern jacket, a black and beige Dior Oblique Jacquard Saddle shoulder bag from Dior, outside Dior, during Paris Fashion Week - Menswear F/W 2022-2023, on January 21, 2022 in Paris, France. (Photo by Edward Berthelot/Getty Images)

Funbag

Some Basic Rules For Proper AirPod Etiquette

Luis Paez-Pumar

Tyler Herro #14 of the Miami Heat celebrates a 95-94 overtime win against the Brooklyn Nets during their game at Barclays Center on January 15, 2024 in New York City.

There Goes Miami’s Herro

Damontae Kazee fails to tackle Josh Allen

The Steelers Let It Not-Slide Away

TAMPA, FLORIDA - JANUARY 15: Darius Slay #2 of the Philadelphia Eagles is carted off the field against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the fourth quarter in the NFC Wild Card Playoffs at Raymond James Stadium on January 15, 2024 in Tampa, Florida.

I Told You So

Tom Ley

A Tampa Bay Buccaneers fan holds a sign that reads, "Cry Eagles Cry!!!" during the fourth quarter in the NFC Wild Card Playoffs between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on January 15, 2024 in Tampa, Florida.