CULTURE

Footer Column 2

Footer Legal

Footer Main

Nav Bar

OTHER

SPORTS

Subscribe, at any level, to play

Thanks for your interest in Defector Crosswords!

Become a subscriber today to get unlimited access

Thanks for reading!

Plans start at $8/month.

Subscribers enjoy unlimited, ad-free browsing.

Register to continue

Or click here to subscribe for unlimited, ad-free access!

Our gift to you: This year's post is unlocked. Register your email to get even more free articles.

Welcome to the 2025 Hater's Guide!

Just register your email:

This blog is free to read.

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

Kathryn Xu

Matthew Tkachuk #19 of the Florida Panthers protects himself from Zack MacEwen #17 of the Ottawa Senators during the third period at Canadian Tire Centre on November 27, 2023.

This Is So Stupid

NHL Workbook Quiz No. 23: Panthers Vs. Senators

Tom Ley

DeAndre Jordan #6 of the Denver Nuggets dunks the ball during the game against the LA Clippers on November 27, 2023 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California.

The Clippers Got Embarrassed By Some Old Friends

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

BOSTON - APRIL 21: Rosie Ruiz #W50 is supported by Boston police officers moments after crossing the finish line as the apparent women's race winner of the 84th Boston Marathon held on April 21, 1980 in Boston, Massachusetts. Ruiz was later stripped of her race title after it was determined she had not run the entire race. (Photo by David Madison/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Rosie Ruiz

Funbag

What Is The Hardest Sport To Cheat At?

Luis Paez-Pumar

Viktor Tsyhankov of Girona FC celebrates their team's first goal during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Girona FC and Athletic Bilbao at Montilivi Stadium on November 27, 2023 in Girona, Spain.

Soccer

Girona Is Thriving On The Edge Of A Knife

Charles Leclerc talks to George Russell in the cool down room during the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi.

Racing

In Formula 1, The Only Way To Win Is To Lose To A Red Bull

David Roth

A coffee table with some Vogue magazines on it, and a Sports Illustrated on top. It's the famous "Why the University of Miami should drop football" cover but it's been edited to say "Why it's hard to play volleyball without a volleyball."

Journalismism

Scorn Illustrated

Barry Petchesky

OTTAWA, ON - OCTOBER 28: Elliotte Friedman interview Erik Karlsson #65 of the Ottawa Senators on Hockey Fights Cancer night prior to a game against the Calgary Flames at Canadian Tire Centre on October 28, 2015 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/NHLI via Getty Images)

Elliotte Friedman Is The Most Canadian Scoopster

charismatic megafauna (they/them)

Sabrina Imbler

A brown male golden rocket frog carrying an enormous tadpole on his back

Creaturefector

As A Father Of Tadpoles

Giri Nathan

Devin Booker of the Suns celebrates on the floor against the Knicks

It’s Nothing But Bad News For Devin Booker Haters

Staff Writer
Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19

Chris Thompson

Draymond Green talks to a teammate during a timeout.

Draymond Green Remains In Pursuit Of Method For Attacking Opponents That Won’t Get Him Suspended

Ray Ratto

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - NOVEMBER 23: George Kittle #85 of the San Francisco 49ers walks off the field with a turkey after beating the Seattle Seahawks 31-13 at Lumen Field on November 23, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

The 49ers Aren’t Going To Win The Interesting Bowl

Maitreyi Anantharaman

Adrian Walker Jr. catches interception behind his back.

High School Sports

Adrian Walker Jr. Had Eyes In The Back Of His Head

Lauren Theisen

Tommy DeVito stands on the field with his hand over his heart

Tommy DeVito Is A Two-Time Winner

Son Heung-min of Tottenham Hotspur looks dejected during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on November 26, 2023 in London, England

Crosswords

The Crossword, Nov. 27: A Wing And A Prayer (Themeless)

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

Dan McQuade

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - NOVEMBER 26: Jalen Hurts #1 of the Philadelphia Eagles scores the game winning touchdown in overtime against the Buffalo Bills at Lincoln Financial Field on November 26, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Eagles Squeak Past Bills While Almost Killing Ryan Phillippe

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 26: Keenan Allen #13 of the Los Angeles Chargers takes the field prior to the game against the Baltimore Ravens at SoFi Stadium on November 26, 2023 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)

Keenan Allen Is Squandered

Samer Kalaf

David Tepper Got What He Paid For With Frank Reich

Michigan players celebrate during a game against Ohio State.

After Defeating Ohio State, Michigan Faces The Ultimate Test: Iowa

Deion Sanders jogs onto the field with the Colorado Buffaloes

College Football

Deion Sanders’s First Season At Colorado Ends With A Whimper

Isaiah Bond catches a last-minute touchdown pass for Alabama

On Fourth And A Zillion, Alabama Crushes Auburn’s Spirits

Amos Barshad

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis speaks during a news conference at the Fulton County Government building on August 14, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. A grand jury today handed up an indictment naming former President Donald Trump and his Republican allies over an alleged attempt to overturn the 2020 election results in the state.

Politics

Who Does The RICO Case Against Young Thug Actually Serve?

Alex Squadron is a writer from New York. His byline has appeared in SLAM, the New York Post, The Athletic, Sports Illustrated and SB Nation. His first book, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Life-League-Basketball-Relentless-Pursuit/dp/1496235851" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.amazon.com/Life-League-Basketball-Relentless-Pursuit/dp/1496235851&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1700717978074000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3O-s88UE2MyxmV19syo99i">Life in the G: Minor League Basketball and the Relentless Pursuit of the NBA</a>, was released in October 2023.

Alex Squadron

Joe Young of the Birmingham Squadron follows through on a jumper in a 2021-22 G-League game against the Texas Legends.

Book Excerpts That Don't Suck

You Don’t Get From The G League To The NBA By Being “The Man”

Libby Watson is a writer, <a href="https://www.twitch.tv/libtron">streamer</a> and <a href="https://www.patreon.com/whatsallthisthen">podcaster</a>.

Libby Watson

A collage of streamers from Twitchcon photos

Arts And Culture

Striving And Streaming In The Desert: A Visit To TwitchCon Las Vegas

Mark Sanchez looking forlorn after a Jets game on October 31, 2010.

Podcasts

Gratitude, Triumph, And The Butt Fumble, With Jasper Wang

Glen Davis #11 of the Orlando Magic cuts a Thanksgiving turkey following his team's game against the Detroit Pistons on November 21, 2012 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida.