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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

Diana Moskovitz is Defector&#8217;s investigations editor. You can contact her at diana@defector.com or dfmoskovitz@protonmail.com. She&#8217;s also on Signal @dmoskovitz.99

Diana Moskovitz

Von Miller #40 of the Buffalo Bills on the field before a preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts at Highmark Stadium on August 12, 2023 in Orchard Park, New York.

How Long Can The NFL Keep The Volume Down About Von Miller’s Arrest?

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

Dan McQuade

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - DECEMBER 18: Jaxon Smith-Njigba #11 of the Seattle Seahawks catches a pass for a touchdown passed James Bradberry #24 of the Philadelphia Eagles in the fourth quarter at Lumen Field on December 18, 2023 in Seattle, Washington.

The Eagles (Actually) Stink!

Patrick Redford

A crowd of Icelanders stands in awe of the volcanic cloud

Science

The Icelandic Eruption Is Finally Here

Staff Writer
Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19

Chris Thompson

Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla points in two directions while looking in a third.

This Is So Stupid

Do You Have What It Takes To Put Two On The Ball?

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

INGLEWOOD, CA - AUGUST 20: Los Angeles Chargers defensive back Deane Leonard (33) handles his mouthguard between downs in the first half of a preseason NFL football game between the New Orleans Saints and Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Tony Ding/Icon Sportswire)

Funbag

Put In That Mouthguard, Young Man!

Lauren Theisen

You Never Know When Your Last Win Comes

Tom Ley

Bill Simmons advertising a same-game parlay.

Gambling

Sports Betting Industry Finally Predatory Enough To Make Money

Ray Ratto

Ottawa Senators head coach D.J. Smith (back R) reacts during the NHL Global Series Ice Hockey match between Detroit Red Wings and Ottawa Senators in Stockholm on November 16, 2023. (Photo by Henrik MONTGOMERY / TT NEWS AGENCY / AFP) / Sweden OUT (Photo by HENRIK MONTGOMERY/TT NEWS AGENCY/AFP via Getty Images)

Fish And Hockey Coaches Quickly Start To Stink

James Harden dribbles up the court while smiling.

This Might Be Working After All

New York Mayor Eric Adams gives a thumbs up as he leaves his weekly press conference at New York City Hall on November 14, 2023. FBI agents seized the New York mayor's cell phones and other devices, his campaign lawyer said 10 November, 2023, in an apparent escalation of a federal investigation into campaign fundraising. The seizure appears to be part of a corruption investigation into whether Eric Adams' 2021 campaign conspired with Turkey's government and others.

Politics

Eric Adams: The Beauty Of New York Is That There Are Terrorist Attacks And Also Stores That Open

Jordan Poole #13 of the Washington Wizards drives to the basket against Immanuel Quickley #5 of the New York Knicks in the second half during an NBA In-Season Tournament game at Capital One Arena on November 17, 2023 in Washington, DC. 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 Rob Carr/Getty Images)

Jordan Poole Slipped In His Own Slime

Everton's Manager Sean Dyche during the Premier League match between Everton FC and Chelsea FC at Goodison Park on December 10, 2023 in Liverpool, England.

Soccer

Sean Dyche Is Proving He Was Never A Dinosaur

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 16: Keegan Murray #13 of the Sacramento Kings (2nd L) reacts with teammates after making a three-point basket in the third quarter U at Golden 1 Center on December 16, 2023 in Sacramento, 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 Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

Keegan Murray Changes Everything

Barry Petchesky

Here’s A Cool Picture Of Uranus

Luke Farrell of the Jaguars is tackled after a reception

The Jaguars Are Burning Out

Maitreyi Anantharaman

Trick or treaters at a house on Halloween night in Vaughan, Ontario, Canada.

Crosswords

The Crossword, Dec. 18: That’s A You Problem

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

New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick chats with QB Bailey Zappe in the first half. The Patriots beat the Pittsburgh Steelers, 21-18.

The Patriots Are Reverting To Type

Giri Nathan

Simona Halep wipes away sweat during her loss at the 2022 US Open

Tennis

Simona Halep Says This Doping Ban Could Be The End Of Her Career

Luton Town players applaud fans after game was abandoned after team-mate Tom Lockyer needed lengthy medical treatment before being stretchered off during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Luton Town at Vitality Stadium on December 16, 2023 in Bournemouth, England.

The Frightening Familiarity Of Tom Lockyer’s On-Field Collapse

Zach Wilson is sacked by the Miami Dolphins.

The Jets Have Excavated An Even Lower Level Of Quarterback Hell

Nick Mullens throws the ball directly into the face of the player who is sacking him.

Nick Mullens Tossed The Interception Of A Lifetime

The Detroit Pistons huddle before the game against the Milwaukee Bucks on December 16, 2023.

The Pee Stains Alone

Albert Burneko

1855: The Football Squad of Addiscombe Military College. (Photo by Aaron Penley/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Defector Up All Night

Have Yourself A Merry Weekend Open Thread

Kelsey McKinney

overexposed artistic rendering of a house

Zillowing Out

A $420,000 Home Where We Can Be Happy

David Roth

Andre Braugher in a black and white portrait taken in 2015.