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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.

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Defector

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Barry Petchesky

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 04: Jimmy Kimmel is seen at 'Jimmy Kimmel Live" on November 04, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by RB/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)

Celebrity Sightings In Los Angeles – November 04, 2019

Politics

Charlie Kirk Is A Means To An End

2019-01-01 00:15:14.989

Maitreyi Anantharaman

Aliyah Boston #7 and Lexie Hull #10 of the Indiana Fever celebrate during the second half against the Atlanta Dream in game two of the first round of WNBA Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on September 16, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Atlanta Dream v Indiana Fever – Game Two

WNBA

The WNBA Won Won Won With 1-1-1

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Albert Burneko

US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump during a visit to St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle, Berkshire, on day one of their second state visit to the UK.

Melania hat

This Is So Stupid

Nice Hat, Melania

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


Typing

Sabrina Imbler

a wild octopus americanus, arms unspooled and curling

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Creaturefector

Unlike Our Stupid Human Arms, Octopus Arms Are All Equally Beautiful And Talented


<p>Robert Weintraub is the author of four books, including <em>The Divine Miss Marble</em>, now <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Divine-Miss-Marble-Tennis-Mystery/dp/1524745367/ref=asc_df_1524745367/?tag=hyprod-20&amp;linkCode=df0&amp;hvadid=459515946640&amp;hvpos=&amp;hvnetw=g&amp;hvrand=6202131795131082661&amp;hvpone=&amp;hvptwo=&amp;hvqmt=&amp;hvdev=c&amp;hvdvcmdl=&amp;hvlocint=&amp;hvlocphy=9010752&amp;hvtargid=pla-926582175995&amp;psc=1">out in paperback</a>. He has also written for the <em>New York Times</em>, ESPN/Grantland, Slate, Columbia Journalism Review, the <em>Guardian</em>, Football Outsiders, and many other outlets. Follow on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/robwein" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@robwein</a>.</p>


Robert Weintraub

Bubblegum card (from the Bowman Gum Company) features baseball player Hank Thompson, of the New York Giants, 1955.

Gum Card Of Hank Thompson

Hank Thompson Lived A Wild, Tragic, Forgotten Life In Baseball

Hannah Smothers

areyoumyfirst

Arts And Culture

Reality TV Dating Enters Virgin Territory

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Kelsey McKinney

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


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Chris Thompson

Screenshot 2025-09-16 at 12.41.16 PM

Food

The Not-So-Great Defector Bake Off Suffers Mightily For Biscuit Week

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David Roth

U.S. Vice President JD Vance, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller depart Union Station after meeting with federal law enforcement officers on August 20, 2025.

VP Vance And Defense Secretary Hegseth Visit Federal Law Enforcement Officers Patrolling At D.C.’s Union Station

The United States Of Snitches

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Giri Nathan

Washington Post Editor Karen Attiah leads a discussion on Saudi hacking techniques at the Oslo Freedom Forum 2019 on May 28, 2019 in Oslo, Norway. (Photo by Julia Reinhart/Getty Images)

Oslo Freedom Forum 2019

Media Meltdowns

Washington Post Opinion Columnist Fired For Social Media Posts On Charlie Kirk

<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>


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Drew Magary

A video feed is displayed in the White House Briefing Room as U.S. Vice President JD Vance hosts a podcast episode of 'The Charlie Kirk Show' following the assassination of the show's namesake, at the White House on September 15, 2025 in Washington, DC. Tyler Robinson is accused of fatally shooting Charlie Kirk, CEO and co-founder of Turning Point USA, while he was speaking at an event for his "American Comeback Tour" on the campus of Utah Valley University.

Vice President JD Vance Hosts The Charlie Kirk Show In Tribute To Kirk

Funbag

Everything Is Getting Lost In The Fog

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Luis Paez-Pumar

Tom Brady speaks onstage at Fanatics Fest NYC 2025 at Javits Center on June 21, 2025 in New York City.

Fanatics Fest NYC 2025

Tom Brady Adds Sportswashing To His Impressive Résumé

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Veronica de Souza

Question 2 (1)

Make It Nice

Make It Nice: Why Is This Bathroom So Round?

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<div class="p-rich_text_section">Tom Scocca is the editor of <a href="http://indignity.net">Indignity</a>, a subscription-supported newsletter of news, essays, and commentary.</div>
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Tom Scocca

U.S. President Donald Trump boards Air Force One on September 11, 2025 at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland. President Trump is traveling to New York to attend a New York Yankees game and to stay at his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey for the weekend.

Trump Air Force One – large

Margin Of Error

How Do You Stop A Serial Killer?

J.J. McCarthy #9 of the Minnesota Vikings fumbles the ball as he's sacked by Zach Harrison #96 of the Atlanta Falcons in the fourth quarter during the NFL 2025 game at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 14, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Atlanta Falcons v Minnesota Vikings – NFL 2025

J.J. McCarthy Awful, Then A Hero, Then A Father, Then Awful Again, Then A Bust, Now Hurt

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Patrick Redford

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Podcasts

A Dissection Of The Kawhi Leonard Scandal, With Noah Kulwin

of the New York Mets heads to home plate to celebrate with teammates after hitting a home run for a walk off win in the bottom of the 10th against the Texas Rangers at Citi Field on September 14, 2025.

Texas Rangers v New York Mets

How To Go To A Mets Game

Dave McKenna

Canelo Alvarez (L) takes a punch from Terence Crawford in their undisputed super middleweight title fight during Netflix's Canelo v Crawford Fight Night at Allegiant Stadium on September 13, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Canelo v Crawford

The Fights

Terence Crawford And Canelo Alvarez Set The Bar

Breanna Stewart #30 of the New York Liberty cries on the bench after getting hurt during overtime against the Phoenix Mercury at PHX Arena on September 14, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona.

New York Liberty v Phoenix Mercury – Game One

This Liberty Season Can Always Get Grimmer

On September 14, 2025, in Madrid, Spain, the Vuelta a Espana comes to an unprecedented halt as the final stage is canceled with 56 km to go due to large-scale pro-Palestinian protests in the heart of the Spanish capital. Despite a massive deployment of around 1,500 officers, demonstrators break through police barriers at Cibeles, chant ''Free Palestine,'' and block the race circuit. For security reasons, several pro-Israel sympathizers are escorted away from the area by Policia Nacional to prevent direct clashes. (Photo by Francesco Militello Mirto/NurPhoto)

Final Stage Of Spain’s Vuelta Cycling Race Suspended Following Pro-Palestinian Protests

Cycling

La Vuelta Collapses Miles Short Of Its Own Finish Line

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Billy Haisley

Jeremy Doku of Manchester City holds off the challenge of Leny Yoro of Manchester United during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Manchester United at Etihad Stadium on September 14, 2025 in Manchester, England.

Manchester City v Manchester United – Premier League

Soccer

Jérémy Doku Could Be More Than Just A Killer Wiggle

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Kathryn Xu

Seattle Mariners (L-R) Leo Rivas #76, Eugenio Suarez #28, Josh Naylor #12 and Harry Ford #5 at T-Mobile Park on September 14, 2025 in Seattle, Washington.

seattleMarinersEtsyWitch

The Seattle Mariners Are In Their Etsy Witch Era

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Samer Kalaf

AI Aaron Rodgers in an incorrect Steelers hat, looking like shit

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Fox Sports Uses AI To Achieve The Impossible: Make Aaron Rodgers Look Deader Inside

Jesse Cole, owner of the Savannah Bananas, in his trademark yellow suit and top-hat.

Jesse Cole

Life's Rich Pageant

The Official Charity Of The Savannah Bananas Has A Hard Time Explaining How Its Money Is Spent

ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 14: New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll reacts after a play against the Dallas Cowboys during an NFL football game at AT&amp;T Field on September 14, 2025 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

New York Giants v Dallas Cowboys

The Giants Are Innovating Thrilling New Ways To Not Win

Class of 2020 member Troy Polamalu reacts with a bust of Polamalu during the Pro Football HOF Centennial Class of 2020 enshrinement ceremonies on August 7, 2021 at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, in Canton, OH.

NFL: AUG 07 HOF Class of 2020 Enshrinement

Crosswords

The Crossword, Sept. 15: Bull Market

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