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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

Patrick Redford

Logo for The Messenger, with letters flickering out and then going blank. First the 'h', then the 'nge', then the 'T e e r.' Blue background, white text.

Journalismism

The Messenger Is Circling The Drain

David Roth

Michael Penix Jr, seen here pointing at The Distraction logo at upper left during Washington's win over Texas in the Sugar Bowl on 1/1/2024.

Podcasts

Wolfgang Amadeus Penix Jr.

Staff Writer
Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19

Chris Thompson

LeBron James and Anthony Davis cross paths.

The Lakers Are Too Healthy To Be This Grumpy

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

PASADENA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 01: Blake Corum #2 of the Michigan Wolverines runs with the ball for yardage away from Terrion Arnold #3 and Kool-Aid McKinstry #1 of the Alabama Crimson Tide during second half of the CFP Semifinal Rose Bowl Game at Rose Bowl Stadium on January 01, 2024 in Pasadena, California. The Michigan Wolverines won the game 27-20 in overtime. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images)

Jamboroo

What Happens When Players Start Opting Out Of The College Football Playoff?

Barry Petchesky

EDMONTON, CANADA ? NOVEMBER 3: Patrik Stefan #27 of the Dallas Stars skates against the Edmonton Oilers during their game at Rexall Place on November 3, 2006 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The Stars defeated the Oilers 3-2. (Photo by Dale MacMillan/Getty Images)

I Still Can’t Believe Patrik Stefan Missed The Net

Luke Littler reacts after victory over Rob Cross (not pictured) on day fifteen of the Paddy Power World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace, London. Picture date: Tuesday January 2, 2024. (Photo by Zac Goodwin/PA Images via Getty Images)

Darts

Darts World Captivated By 16-Year-Old Lad Who Loves Kebabs

Billy Haisley

Ivan Martin (Girona FC) celebrates with his teammates after scoring during La Liga football match between Girona FC and Atletico de Madrid, at Montilivi Stadium on January 3, 2024 in Girona, Spain. Foto: Siu Wu

Soccer

Girona Is Wide Awake

Sean T. Collins has written for The New York Times, Rolling Stone, Vulture, Decider, Pitchfork, and many others. He lives with his family on Long Island.

Sean T. Collins

Arts And Culture

How ‘The Wheel Of Time’ Made Great Art Out Of Great Pain

Albert Burneko

UNSPECIFIED - CIRCA 1921: Conrad Veidt as "Cesare" in the film "The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari". Photograph. 1921

This Is A Damn Conrad Veidt Appreciation Blog

Tom Ley

Media Meltdowns

Pat McAfee Dons Formal Sleeves As He Tries To Explain Away Aaron Rodgers’s Comments About Jimmy Kimmel

Luis Paez-Pumar

Mohamed Salah of Liverpool celebrates after scoring the fourth Liverpool goal during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Newcastle United at Anfield on January 01, 2024 in Liverpool, England.

Mohamed Salah’s AFCON Absence Will Be Liverpool’s Biggest Test

Alex Sujong Laughlin

A black Coach purse alongside purse restoration tools on a table.

Life Lessons

A Purse For Whatever Woman You Want To Be

Lauren Theisen

Alex Ovechkin’s Hand Rises From The Mud

Jordan Clarkson is congratulated by a teammate for recording a triple-double.

Congratulations To The Utah Jazz For Finally Recording One Damn Triple-Double

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

Dan McQuade

PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 31: Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) looks on during the game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Philadelphia Eagles on December 31, 2023 at Lincoln Financial Field.

At Least The Eagles Will Play More 1:00 P.M. Games Next Season

Defector At The Movies

Harold Lloyd Terrifying Babe Ruth With Bad Driving Is Now In The Public Domain

Aaron Rodgers And ESPN Are A Match Made In Desperation

Ray Ratto

A page from a 1939 mens clothing catalog for Fred Mueller with illustrations of men wearing colorful western-style shirts.

The One Easy Trick For Adding Color To Your Wardrobe

charismatic megafauna (they/them)

Sabrina Imbler

a grid of ultrasound images of my (now former) breasts may they RIP!

Even Good Health Insurance Is Bad; Or, How I Got Top Surgery With A Family History Of Breast Cancer

Funbag

I Have It On Good Authority

Head coach Jim Harbaugh of the Michigan Wolverines walks on the field after winning the Big Ten Championship against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 02, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

College Football

One Player Still Has The Power To End The Year Of Harbaugh

Defector Staff

This video grab taken from a video posted on the Twitter account of billionaire Tesla chief Elon Musk on October 26, 2022 shows himself carrying a sink as he enters the Twitter headquarters in San Francisco. Elon Musk changed his Twitter profile to "Chief Twit" and posted video of himself walking into the social network's California headquarters carrying a sink, days before his contentious takeover of the company must be finalized.

Year In Review

The Worst Of 2023

David Tepper of the Carolina Panthers looks on against the New York Giants prior to the game at MetLife Stadium on Friday, August 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

David Tepper Throws Drink At Fans, Becomes NFL’s Chief Jagoff

Maitreyi Anantharaman

Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts meets with brother Eli Manning #10 of the New York Giants in the middle of the field on September 10, 2006 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Crosswords

The Crossword, Jan. 1: Leading Question

Pr?paration de g?teaux, d?coupe d'une banane. (Photo by Bettina BRINKMANN/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)