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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

Ray Ratto

Harrison Butker #7 of the Kansas City Chiefs kicks a field goal late in the fourth quarter to tie the game against the San Francisco 49ers during Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium on February 11, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Harrison Butker Is The Guy You Want In The Margins

Tom Ley

Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates after defeating the San Francisco 49ers 25-22 in overtime during Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium on February 11, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The 49ers Couldn’t Outrun The Devils

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


Chris Thompson

Travis Kelce #87 of the Kansas City Chiefs yells in the face of head coach Andy Reid in the first half against the San Francisco 49ers during Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium on February 11, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The First Half Of The Super Bowl Was No Fun For Anyone

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


Dan McQuade

WEST LAFAYETTE, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 10: Zach Edey #15 of the Purdue Boilermakers reacts after making a three pointer during the second half in the game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Mackey Arena on February 10, 2024 in West Lafayette, Indiana.

College Basketball

Zach Edey Is Tall And Good. Now He Just Has To Be Good In March

Jusuf Nurkic and Draymond Green fall together.

Jusuf Nurkic And Draymond Green Might Never Be Pals

An exterior view of Cleveland Browns Stadium prior to the game between the Cleveland Browns and the Cincinnati Bengals on September 10, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio.

Journalismism

Iconic And Brave: Plain Dealer Editor Decided Not To Report Some News About The Browns

Albert Burneko

SAN FRANCISCO - NOVEMBER 17: Wide receiver Carlos Carson #88 of the Kansas City Chiefs can't make the reception while covered by cornerback Dwight Hicks #22 of the San Francisco 49ers during a game at Candlestick Park on November 17, 1985 in San Francisco, California. The 49ers won 31-3.

Defector Up All Night

Let’s Party In The Super Bowl Weekend Open Thread

Israel Daramola

Usher performs onstage during his residency at La Seine Musicale on September 25, 2023 in Boulogne-Billancourt, France.

Arts And Culture

Can Usher Escape The Nostalgia Trap?

The Bulls Are Parked In Mediocrity

Split image. Left side: A map of New Jersey rest stops and Hall of Fame locations, showing the Frank Sinatra Service Area and the Toni Morrison Service Area. At right: The Ocean View Service Area, with a Sunoco and an A-Plus mini mart, and the Tourism Welcome Center.

This Is So Stupid

The Toni Morrison Rest Stop That Never Was

<p>Nicholas Russell is a writer from Las Vegas.</p>


Nicholas Russell

The Sphere on the Las Vegas Strip is seen displaying Super Bowl LVIII signage ahead of Super Bowl LVIII on February 08, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The Super Bowl Before The Crunch

Patrick Redford

A detail view of a hat with the Super Bowl logo during Super Bowl LVIII Opening Night at Allegiant Stadium on February 05, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Getty Images)

What Time Does “What Time Does The Super Bowl Start?” Start?

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


Sabrina Imbler

Creaturefector

The Little Fish With A Mouth That Defies All Logic

HENDERSON, NEVADA - FEBRUARY 08: Brock Purdy #13 of the San Francisco 49ers speaks to media during San Francisco 49ers media availability ahead of Super Bowl LVIII at Hilton Lake Las Vegas Resort and Spa on February 08, 2024 in Henderson, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Getty Images)

What Can You Say About Brock Purdy?

<div>Nate Jackson is a former NFL tight end and author of <a href="https://bookshop.org/p/books/slow-getting-up-a-story-of-nfl-survival-from-the-bottom-of-the-pile-nate-jackson/6430451?gclid=Cj0KCQjwpc-oBhCGARIsAH6ote9JzWMngZDpSjF2eoL1_JlyPm2QhDfkNgOzqvaB4n9ic0qqUNQ4iCwaAsasEALw_wcB"><em>Slow Getting Up</em></a>. He lives in Denver.</div>
<div></div>


Nate Jackson

"Industry Night" launch party at Prive Las Vegas inside the Planet Hollywood Resort &amp; Casino January 21, 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The Darkness And The Lights Of Super Bowl Parties

Giri Nathan

Alexander Zverev competes in an Australian Open match

Tennis

Alexander Zverev’s Upcoming Trial Looms Over His Recent Success

Handball referees Marcus Helbig (l) and Lars Geipel show the new blue cards in Leipzig, Germany, 1 August 2016. The two will be refereeing at the Olympic games for the second time. PHOTO: JAN WOITAS/DPA | usage worldwide (Photo by Jan Woitas/picture alliance via Getty Images)

Soccer

Soccer’s Rulemakers Are Rolling Out Blue Cards

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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

CIUDAD JUAREZ, MEXICO - FEBRUARY 06: Migrants cross the border to USA through Gate 36 and to be received by elements of the Border Patrol and the Texas National Guard for the processing of their request to migrate, captured from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico on February 06, 2024.

Margin Of Error

The Crisis Keeps Migrating

a photo of a lobster named Currant, a split blue lobster

Meet The Eight Celebrity Lobsters Of Biddeford, Maine

<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

BALTIMORE, MD - JANUARY 28: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs walks out for warmups prior to the AFC Championship NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&amp;T Bank Stadium on January 28, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images)

Jamboroo

Patrick Mahomes Owns The NFL

David Roth

Travis Kelce faces the media during Super Bowl Media Days in the lead up to Super Bowl LVIII. It's pretty dramatically lit for something happening at a Westin in Henderson, Nevada.

Podcasts

Big Ideas And Big Novelty Slot Machines At The Super Bowl, With Matthew Coller

Here Is An NBA Trade Deadline Open Thread

TORONTO, ONTARIO - FEBRUARY 02: Howler the Coyote of the Arizona Coyotes interacts with fans at the Mascot Skills Event at the 2024 Hyundai NHL All-Star Fan Fair at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre on February 02, 2024 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Carlos Osorio/NHLI via Getty Images)