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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

Several YouTube screenshots of a screeching JJ Redick

Media Meltdowns

NBA Dead Period Filled By JJ Redick Reacting To Himself Blasting Doc Rivers

<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

A football is being balanced on top of a syringe and vaccine vial.

My NFL Career Ended With A Needle And A Scam

Lauren Theisen

Cam Spencer #12, Alex Karaban #11, Donovan Clingan #32 and Hassan Diarra #10 of the Connecticut Huskies

College Basketball

Invincibility Only Lasts Until It All Goes Wrong

Soraya Roberts

Madeleine Sami as Eddie Redcliffe in Deadloch

Arts And Culture

Australians Just Have More Fun (On TV)

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


Sabrina Imbler

A horrible AI-generated image of a rat with an enormous cock and balls

Creaturefector

The Brief And Wondrous Life Of The AI Giant-Penised Rat, Explained

Giri Nathan

Life Lessons

On Moving Out

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 17: Frances Tiafoe of the United States falls to ground in the round two men's singles match against Tomas Machac of the Czech Republic during the 2024 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 17, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Will Murray/Getty Images)

Tennis

Frances Tiafoe Is Getting Lost In The American Shuffle

<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

Funbag

Does Jon Stewart Matter?

Joey Daccord reacts after letting in a goal

The Kraken Need More Time In The Oven

Luis Paez-Pumar

The Nebraska Cornhuskers logo on their uniform during the game against the Maryland Terrapins at Pinnacle Bank Arena on February 14, 2021 in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Former Nebraska Basketball Player Sues School Over Sexual Relationship With Coach

Kelsey McKinney

dakota johnson in a red leather blazer looking confused

Defector At The Movies

Everything I Remember About ‘Madame Web’

Ray Ratto

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 17: NBA Commissioner Adam Silver speaks to the media at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 17, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

The NBA, And The Definition Of Work

Barry Petchesky

PHOENIX, AZ - OCTOBER 31: Arizona Diamondbacks principal owner Ken Kendrick and president Derrick Hall talk on the field prior to Game 4 of the 2023 World Series between the Texas Rangers and the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on Tuesday, October 31, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Rob Tringali/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

Threats Are No Way To Do Business, Says Diamondbacks Owner Threatening To Move

MONZA, ITALY - FEBRUARY 18: Christian Pulisic of AC Milan scores his team's second goal during the Serie A TIM match between AC Monza and AC Milan - Serie A TIM at U-Power Stadium on February 18, 2024 in Monza, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Soccer

How Thrilling It Is To Have Christian Pulisic Back In Top Form

SAINT PAUL, MN - FEBRUARY 19: Joel Eriksson Ek #14 celebrates his goal with his teammates Kirill Kaprizov #97 and Matt Boldy #12 of the Minnesota Wild against the Vancouver Canucks during the game at the Xcel Energy Center on February 19, 2024 in Saint Paul, Minnesota. (Photo by Bruce Kluckhohn/NHLI via Getty Images)

Goalies Were Optional In Minnesota

Maitreyi Anantharaman

BOULDER, COLORADO - FEBRUARY 11: Talia von Oelhoffen #22 of the Oregon State Beavers looks to pass around Jaylyn Sherrod #00 of the Colorado Buffaloes in the first half at the CU Events Center on February 11, 2024 in Boulder, Colorado. (Photo by Tyler Schank/Getty Images)

Be A Beaver Believer

Anthony Rendon walks away from the plate with a faraway, faintly sad look on his face after striking out against Cleveland in a game in May of 2023.

Anthony Rendon Is Already Feeling Pretty Angels

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


Chris Thompson

Would Anyone Miss The NBA All-Star Game?

Jagr Night Marred By Penguins Game

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - FEBRUARY 18: Goaltender Igor Shesterkin #31 of the New York Rangers makes a save on a shot attempt by Matt Martin #17 of the New York Islanders during the first period of the 2024 Navy Federal Credit Union Stadium Series game between the New York Rangers and the New York Islanders at MetLife Stadium on February 18, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Dave Sandford/NHLI via Getty Images)

Sometimes An Outdoor Hockey Game Still Delivers

GREEN BAY, WI - JULY 24: Green Bay Packers shareholders fill Lambeau Field for the Green Bay Packers Shareholders meeting on July 24, 2019 at Lambeau Field, in Green Bay, WI. (Photo by Larry Radloff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Dadfector

God Help Me, My Son’s Marrying A Packers Shareholder

General view during the performance "Concert de la Sirène" by the Orchestre d'Harmonie de Paris, during the "Nuit Blanche" 2019 : Press Preview In Paris, at the France Television Headquarters building, on October 04, 2019 in Paris, France.

Crosswords

The Crossword, Feb. 19: First Teamers


<p>Richard Staff is a <a href="https://twitter.com/RichardStaff" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">weapons-grade Twitter goblin</a> and hostage of the Mets. That is his real name.</p>


Richard Staff

View from seats on the first-base side of Ebbets Field as the New York Giants and the Brooklyn Dodgers opened the 1939 baseball season, Brooklyn, New York, New York, 1939.

The Last Of The Brooklyn Dodgers

Dave McKenna

8 Nov 2000: Rod Strickland #1 of the Washington Wizards dribbles the ball during the game against the New Jersey Nets at the MCI Center in Washington, D.C. The Nets defeated the Wizards 102-86. NOTE TO USER: It is expressly understood that the only rights Allsport are offering to license in this Photograph are one-time, non-exclusive editorial rights. No advertising or commercial uses of any kind may be made of Allsport photos. User acknowledges that it is aware that Allsport is an editorial sports agency and that NO RELEASES OF ANY TYPE ARE OBTAINED from the subjects contained in the photographs.

History

Farewell, TGI Fridays Where Rod Strickland And Chico DeBarge Threw Hands On 9/11

COLLEGE PARK, MD - FEBRUARY 6: Former Maryland head coach Lefty Driesell waves to the crowd during a timeout against Purdue on February 6, 2016 in College Park, MD.