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Defector

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


Dan McQuade

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 21: New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll on the sideline during the NFC Divisional playoff game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the New York Giants on January 21, 2023 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

With Backs Against The Wall, Brian Daboll Chose To Punt

Ray Ratto

Journalismism

Gwen Knapp Paid Attention To The Things That Matter

Barry Petchesky

VANCOUVER, CANADA - JANUARY 21: Head coach Bruce Boudreau of the Vancouver Canucks looks on from the bench during their NHL game against the Edmonton Oilers at Rogers Arena January 21, 2023 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images)

The Canucks Did Bruce Boudreau Dirty

Laura Wagner

Media Meltdowns

Vox Media Layoffs Wipe Out Most SB Nation Hockey, MLS Sites

Halley’s Comment

Drewbert Thompchesky

Things We Actually Like

Let’s Remember Some Comments From 2022

Maitreyi Anantharaman

College Basketball

Angel Reese Can Do It All Herself, Footwear Be Damned

Giri Nathan

Defector Reads A Book

Defector Reads A Book Has Lined Up A Quick One For February

Dave McKenna

Music

And This Byrd Can Sing: David Crosby, 1941-2023


<p>charismatic megafauna (they/them)</p>


Sabrina Imbler

A Sloane's viperfish, a deep-sea fish with iridescent scales and very big teeth

Creaturefector

This Hole Is Full Of Viperfishes

Luis Paez-Pumar

Azzedine Ounahi of Morocco controls the Ball during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 3rd Place match between Croatia and Morocco at Khalifa International Stadium on December 17, 2022 in Doha, Qatar

Soccer

Window Shopping: Azzedine Ounahi Earned His World Cup Boost

Albert Burneko

Elon Musk makes a weird face next to a Tesla car

The Machines

How Not To Interrogate The Ethics Of Tesla’s Busted Autopilot Technology

Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United celebrates after scoring a goal to make it 0-1 with Christian Eriksen and Wout Weghorst during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Manchester United at Selhurst Park on January 18, 2023 in London, United Kingdom.

Under Erik ten Hag, Manchester United Has Regained Some Dignity

Patrick Redford

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 18: De'Aaron Fox #5 of the Sacramento Kings handles the ball during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on January 18, 2023 at Crypto.Com Arena 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)

No Matter Where The Kings Go, The Beam Goes With Them

Samer Kalaf

This Is So Stupid

Possible Fart Briefly Disrupts Vancouver Canucks Broadcast

Andy Murray frustrated during his match against Thanasi Kokkinakis

Tennis

Andy Murray Sacrifices His Body And Sleep To Deliver Another Classic Win

NBC Sports analyst Tony Dungy speaks during a segment prior to the 2022 Pro Football Hall of Fame Game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Las Vegas Raiders at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium on August 04, 2022 in Canton, Ohio.

Tony Dungy Believed The Whole “Litter Boxes In Schools” Hoax [Update]

<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

LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 09: A visitor looks at paintings hanging at The Royal Academy Summer Exhibition on June 9, 2010 in London, England. The RA Summer exhibition is the world's largest open submission contemporary art exhibition with 1267 exhibits selected from over 11,000 entries. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images)

Jamboroo

When There’s No Football On, May I Suggest Art Youtube?

Maria Sakkari saying "Go to hell. Nothing goes in." during a match in Netflix's Break Point

How Much Can Tennis Fans And Novices Learn From ‘Break Point’?

David Roth

Daniel Jones looking confused and holding a football in a silly way before the Giants' Week 18 game against the Eagles.

Podcasts

We’re Back, We’re Back

Lauren Theisen

Frankie Corio and Paul Mescal in 'Aftersun'

Defector At The Movies

In ‘Aftersun,’ It’s The Memory That Hurts

SALERNO, ITALY - FEBRUARY 16: Davide Nicola US Salernitana's new coach and Danilo Iervolino US Salernitana president during a press conference on February 16, 2022 in Salerno, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

You’re Fired, And Just To Show I’m Serious, You’re Rehired

Tom Ley

The Cowboys Have Full Confidence In Brett Maher. Maybe. Possibly Not So Much.

Rafael Nadal Limps Out Of The Australian Open

WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND - JANUARY 18: Mallory Swanson of USA celebrates after scoring a goal during the International friendly fixture match between the New Zealand Football Ferns and the United States at Sky Stadium on January 18, 2023 in Wellington, New Zealand. (Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)

Mallory Swanson Nudges The USWNT Back On Track

<div class="author-header-content">
<p>Charles P. Pierce is a writer at <em>Esquire</em> and the author of four books, most recently <em>Idiot America</em>, and has been a working journalist since 1976. He lives near Boston with his wife but no longer his three children.</p>
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