CULTURE

Footer Column 2

Footer Legal

Footer Main

Nav Bar

OTHER

SPORTS

Subscribe, at any level, to play

Thanks for your interest in Defector Crosswords!

Become a subscriber today to get unlimited access

Thanks for reading!

Plans start at $8/month.

Subscribers enjoy unlimited, ad-free browsing.

Register to continue

Or click here to subscribe for unlimited, ad-free access!

Our gift to you: This year's post is unlocked. Register your email to get even more free articles.

Welcome to the 2025 Hater's Guide!

Just register your email:

This blog is free to read.

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

Giri Nathan

Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates after the men's singles final match at the French Open.

Tennis

Rafael Nadal Found Process In Pain

Albert Burneko

Lightning strikes in the desert outside Tucson, Arizona.

Journalismism

Can Someone Please Write Normally About This Fascinating Woman?

Ray Ratto

New York Jets owner Woody Johnson stands on the field prior to an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Thursday at MetLife Stadium on October 31, 2024.

For The Sake Of The Jets, Woody Johnson Must Take Another Overseas Diplomatic Post

Jae Towle Vieira [they/them] works as a producer for Normal Gossip. Their fiction has been published in The Normal School, New England Review, Carve Magazine, Passages North, Fairy Tale Review, and elsewhere.

Jae Towle Vieira

Normal Gossip logo with cartoon characters gossiping

Podcasts

Make It A Ham Bag This Holiday Season

Israel Daramola

Mike Tyson holding his championship titles in the ring

The Fights

Mortality Always Wins By Knockout

charismatic megafauna (they/them)

Sabrina Imbler

a profile shot of a mummified saber-tooth kitten, which looks like a big brown cat

Creaturefector

This Saber-Toothed Kitten Mummy Is So Stinking Cute That I’m Gonna Cry!

Kelsey McKinney

Staff Writer
Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19

Chris Thompson

A perfect Banoffee Pie, presented by the judges.

Chefector

The Not-So-Great Defector Bake Off Gets Stuck In The 1970s

WASHINGTON, DC - May 23: Laura Helmuth of The Washington Post via Getty Images poses for a portrait on Tuesday May 23, 2017 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Matt McClain/The Washington Post via Getty Images)

Science

Do Not Accept An Unscientific American

Patrick Redford

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - OCTOBER 28: Jordan Poole #13 of the Washington Wizards drives against Dyson Daniels #5 of the Atlanta Hawks during the first quarter at State Farm Arena on October 28, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. 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 Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Dyson Daniels Is On The Prowl

The Sagging 76ers Need Joel Embiid, But Not This Joel Embiid

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 Point B. Handsomest man in the world.

Drew Magary

CLARYVILLE, NY - FEBRUARY 3: A rescued pitbull sits on her owners couch, February 3, 2024 in Claryville, New York.

Funbag

Help! My Dog Gets Mad At Me When I Fart!

Dave McKenna

An illustration depicting high school football player attempting to catch a gigantic football

High School Sports

How An Imported State Champion Blew Up Virginia High School Football

Barry Petchesky

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 10: Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones looks on before a game against the Philadelphia Eagles at AT&amp;T Stadium on November 10, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)

The Forces Of Nature Are Arrayed Against Jerry Jones

Lauren Theisen

Macklin Celebrini celebrates after scoring an overtime game winner

Macklin Celebrini Stripped The Red Wings Of Any Remaining Dignity

The San Francisco 49ers looks on during the fourth quarter of a game against the Seattle Seahawks at Levi's Stadium on November 17, 2024. He looks kind of frustrated.

The 49ers Might Just Be Like This

Maitreyi Anantharaman

Cairo Santos #8 of the Chicago Bears watches as Karl Brooks #94 of the Green Bay Packers blocks a potential game winning field goal at the end of the fourth quarter of a game at Soldier Field on November 17, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois.

The Bears Continue To Innovate In The Space Of Crushing Last-Second Defeat

Luis Paez-Pumar

J.K. Dobbins #27 of the Los Angeles Chargers jumps and dives to score a touchdown during an NFL Football game against the Cincinnati Bengals at SoFi Stadium on November 17, 2024 in Inglewood, California.

Bengals-Chargers Was A Thrilling Mess Of A Sunday Nighter

Samer Kalaf

Kwity Paye #51 of the Indianapolis Colts forces a fumble from Aaron Rodgers #8 of the New York Jets during the fourth quarter

The Jets Are In Hell, Where They Belong

Josh Allen runs the ball to score a touchdown

Josh Allen Ran Through Kansas City’s Perfect Record

Tracy Chapman performs onstage during the 66th GRAMMY Awards at Crypto.com Arena on February 04, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.

Crosswords

The Crossword, Nov. 18: Turnaround Jumpers

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 15: De'Aaron Fox #5 of the Sacramento Kings reacts after making a three-point basket in overtime against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the Emirates NBA Cup game at Golden 1 Center on November 15, 2024 in Sacramento, California.

Nobody Is Doing It Like De’Aaron Fox

Tom Ley

Marta #10 of Orlando Pride battles during the NWSL Playoff Semifinals between Orlando City v Kansas City Current at Inter&amp;Co Stadium on November 17, 2024 in Orlando, Florida.

Soccer

The Pride Feasted On Kansas City’s Fear

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 17: Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals celebrates his goal against the Vegas Golden Knights during the second period at T-Mobile Arena on November 17, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by David Becker/NHLI via Getty Images)

Alex Ovechkin Refuses To Slow Down

David Roth

A giant screen above the ring shows US retired pro-boxer Mike Tyson sitting on the corner stool between rounds during the heavyweight boxing bout against Jake Paul on November 15, 2024.

Tyson/Paul Was A Boxing Match That Felt Like Netflix

UFC Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones, at right, punches challenger Stipe Miocic, who is on his back, during their heavyweight title bout at Madison Square Garden in New York, on November 16, 2024.