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

Dan McQuade was a founding member of Defector. He died in January 2026.

Dan McQuade

BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA - JUNE 25: Head Coach Skip Holtz celebrates after defeating the New Orleans Breakers to win the USFL South Division Championship at Protective Stadium on June 25, 2023 in Birmingham, Alabama.

This Is So Stupid

My Belief In The USFL Has Been Shattered

Billy Haisley

Mary Fowler of Australia celebrates after scoring a goal with her teammates that was later cancelled as a result of VAR consultation during the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 Group B match between Canada and Australia at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium in Melbourne, Australia on July 31, 2023.

Soccer

Canada And Spain Ate Shit And Deserved It

Albert Burneko

Arts And Culture

Paul Reubens Did Everything Funny

Patrick Redford

Media Meltdowns

Pat McAfee: My Dumb Larry Nassar Joke Is Actually Investigative Journalisms

Staff Writer
Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19

Chris Thompson

Damian Lillard of the Trail Blazers looks on during a game in Portland, Oregon.

NBA Urges Teams To Disregard Damian Lillard’s Threats

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

Sean Payton attends Game Five of the 2023 NBA Finals between the Miami Heat and Denver Nuggets on June 12, 2023 at Ball Arena in Denver,

Why Your Team Sucks

Why Your Team Sucks 2023: Denver Broncos

Barry Petchesky

PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 12: LeSean McCoy #25 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs the ball against the Green Bay Packers during the NFL season opener at Lincoln Financial Field on September 12, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Green Bay defeated the Eagles 27-20. (Photo by Jim Luzzi/Getty Images)

If You Have A Non-Dogshit Uniform, Just Wear That Instead

David Roth

Justin Verlander of the Mets leaves the mound during his win against the Washington Nationals on Sunday, July 30.

You Have To Know How Bad You Actually Are

Justin Ellis

Travis Kelce #52 of the Kansas City Chiefs samples pizza at a Papa Johns food stand during Kelce Jam at Azura Amphitheater on April 28, 2023 in Bonner Springs, Kansas.

We Are Now Forced To Consider Whether Travis Kelce Is, In Fact, Too Turnt Up

Ray Ratto

Max Scherzer #21 of the New York Mets looks on during the fifth inning of a spring training game against the Houston Astros at The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches on March 18, 2023 in West Palm Beach, Florida.

Bereft Of Blockbuster Trades, Max Scherzer Will Have To Suffice

New Zealand's defender #07 Ali Riley (L) and New Zealand's midfielder #12 Betsy Hassett (R) greet supporters at the end of Australia and New Zealand 2023 Women's World Cup Group A football match between Switzerland and New Zealand at Dunedin Stadium in Dunedin on July 30, 2023.

New Zealand Waited For Another Goal That Would Never Arrive

Manuela Vanegas of Colombia celebrates after scoring her team's second goal during the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia &amp; New Zealand 2023 Group H match between Germany and Colombia at Sydney Football Stadium on July 30, 2023 in Sydney, Australia.

Colombia Made The Ground Shake And Stunned Germany

Tom Ley

Sean Payton Is Sorry For Saying His Predecessor Is A Huge Failure

Lauren James of England in action during the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia &amp; New Zealand 2023 match between England and Denmark at Sydney Football Stadium on July 28, 2023 in Sydney, Australia.

Lauren James Is The Burgeoning Star Of The New England

Luis Paez-Pumar

Rasmus Hojlund of Atalanta BC celebrates after scoring the team's third goal during the Serie A match between Atalanta BC and Hellas Verona at Gewiss Stadium on May 20, 2023 in Bergamo, Italy.

Window Shopping: Is Rasmus Hojlund Ready For Primetime?

Back of a man wearing a shirt with the Rams logo on it and it says "MENTALLY AND PHYSICALLY TOUGH PLAYERS WHO PLAY SMART & LOVE TO COMPETE"

Are The Los Angeles Rams Looking For Mentally And Physically Tough Players Who Play Smart And Love To Compete?

Maitreyi Anantharaman

Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Angels looks on from the pitchers mound in the bottom of the 2nd inning of game one of a doubleheader against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on July 27, 2023 in Detroit, Michigan. The Angels defeated the Tigers 6-0. Ohtani pitched a complete game, one-hit shutout.

Shohei Ohtani Had The Best Day Ever, And So Did I

Jim Irsay wearing a cowboy hat and sunglasses

Why Your Team Sucks 2023: Indianapolis Colts

The Immaculate Grid for July 25, with one square (Tom Candiotti, who played for Cleveland and Milwaukee) filled in.

Nine Ways To The Immaculate

charismatic megafauna (they/them)

Sabrina Imbler

A photo of a limbless amphibian called a caecilian

Creaturefector

Never Go In Against A Caecilian When Death Is On The Line

Asisat Oshoala of Nigeria celebrates with teammates after scoring her team's third goal during the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia &amp; New Zealand 2023 Group B match between Australia and Nigeria at Brisbane Stadium on July 27, 2023 in Brisbane, Australia.

Nigeria Was Ready For Its Moment

LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 8: Christian Wood looks on during the game between the Detroit Pistons and the Orlando Magic during the 2023 NBA Las Vegas Summer League on July 8, 2023 at the Thomas &amp; Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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 Logan Riely/NBAE via Getty Images)

Surely Christian Wood Still Has Something To Offer

Israel Daramola

Head coach P.J. Fleck of the Minnesota Golden Gophers walks off the field against the Purdue Boilermakers at Huntington Bank Stadium on October 1, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Purdue defeated Minnesota 20-10.