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Defector

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<p>Robert Rubsam writes fiction and nonfiction. His work has appeared in the NYT Magazine, the Atlantic, the Washington Post, the Baffler, and Liberties. He is a contributing writer for Commonweal Magazine.</p>
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Robert Rubsam

Defector At The Movies

Two Indie Action Films, One Clear Winner

Barry Petchesky

DETROIT, MI - SEPTEMBER 01: A general wide-angle view from the upper deck of Comerica Park during the game between the New York Mets and the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on September 1, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan. The Mets defeated the Tigers 10-8. (Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

Fifth Third Park Is A Terrible Stadium Name

<p><a href="https://josh-levin.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://josh-levin.com/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1762023504534000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2tqysV4T7Gh0gV7M0_bz7p">Josh Levin</a> is the creator and host of the sports history podcast “<a href="http://www.replaybooth.show/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.replaybooth.show&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1762023504534000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1-rpGWGr1dKP0HBTa_zohZ">Replay Booth</a>.” He’s also the author of <em><a href="https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/josh-levin/the-queen/9780316513272//?lens=little-brown" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/josh-levin/the-queen/9780316513272//?lens%3Dlittle-brown&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1762023504534000&amp;usg=AOvVaw357vGVOyJU7dDVIkjqFQxu">The Queen: The Forgotten Life Behind an American Myth</a></em>, the creator of the podcast “<a href="https://slate.com/podcasts/one-year/s6/1990" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://slate.com/podcasts/one-year/s6/1990&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1762023504534000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1LJrco6Xq1YK3vAueOtmRC">One Year</a>,” the host of two seasons of “Slow Burn” (on <a href="https://slate.com/podcasts/slow-burn/s4/david-duke" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://slate.com/podcasts/slow-burn/s4/david-duke&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1762023504534000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2PiV8w71WaqaTvzDwNTrOS">David Duke</a> and <a href="https://slate.com/podcasts/slow-burn/s10/rise-of-fox-news" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://slate.com/podcasts/slow-burn/s10/rise-of-fox-news&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1762023504534000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3LTehX3p4ZiFY9vhna8azk">Fox News</a>), and the former cohost of “Hang Up and Listen.”</p>


Josh Levin

Drawing of a fake-injured football player preparing to take part in a trick play.

College Football

How One Trick Play Tells The History Of Football

Samer Kalaf

Ed Sheeran crying at his Philadelphia concert

Arts And Culture

Ed Sheeran Delivers Pointless Statement Then Cries During Latest Concert

Dave McKenna

The Fights

Dana White’s Latest UFC Prodigy Gets KO’d  In 12 Seconds

Patrick Redford

David Ellison at the "Billie Eilish - Hit Me Hard And Soft: The Tour (Live in 3D)" Los Angeles Premiere held at Village Theatre on May 06, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images)

Capital

States Roll Over And Show Bellies To Paramount, Will Allow Warner Bros. Merger

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


Chris Thompson

Laz Díaz gestures at his wrist and yells something during a baseball game.

Laz Díaz And Modern Baseball Are Mutually Through With One Another

<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

Chefector

I Fought A Pie And I Won

Luis Paez-Pumar

Jose Mourinho of Real Madrid holds up a printout with two fouls he believed should have been red cards for Atletico Madrid during the derby.

Soccer

José Mourinho Gives Real Madrid Exactly What It Paid For

Ray Ratto

The Chargers Have Placed Their Own Asses Directly Into The Jackpot

Maitreyi Anantharaman

(L-R) Donna Kelce, Singer Taylor Swift and actor Tom Cruise attend the game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Denver Broncos at Arrowhead Stadium on September 14, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri.

Crosswords

The Crossword, Sept. 21: Cheeky Move

Alex Sujong Laughlin

Podcasts

Jasper Wang Quit His Corporate Career To Do … This

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


Nicholas Russell

Interviews

China Miéville On The “Completely Defining” Book It Took 20 Years To Write

Tom Ley

Esteban Ruiz-Haynes watching sports in his apartment

Gambling

The Gambling Companies Need Their Customers’ Misery

Justin Ellis

Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward scores a touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sept. 20, 2026

Hot Feet On Main Are Only One Part  Of The NFL’s Climate Problem

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams is carted off the field with an injury during a game with the Minnesota Vikings on September 20, 2026

Caleb Williams Suffers Awful Injury At Awful Time In Awful Game

Members of the Vanderbilt Commodores football team react after a last second fumble return in the endzone won the game against NC State, 35-31

NC State Innovates Brand-New Endgame Choking Strategy

ESPN's College GameDay show on the quad at LSU, with Rece Davis, Nick Saban, Lainey Wilson, Desmond Howard, Kirk Herbstreit, and Pat McAfee

This Is So Fucking Embarrassing

Brandy Jensen

David Roth

Alan Ritchson's Jack Reacher character glowers at a screaming man with his hand stuck in an industrial shredder during an episode from season four of Amazon's "Reacher." Reacher is wearing a t-shirt that says "Get Cracked In Philadelphia," and is huge.

He’ll Take The Elevator: Defector Reacher Creatures On ‘Reacher’ Season 4

Israel Daramola

BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA - SEPTEMBER 5: Lane Kiffin of the LSU Tigers walks down victory hill prior to a game against the Clemson Tigers at Tiger Stadium on September 5, 2026 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Lane Kiffin And ESPN Are Both Shilling For Their Agendas

Russian Alexander Ovechkin talks to media in a locker room after the charity hockey "Match of the Year" between Russian players of the National Hockey League (NHL) and the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) at the CSKA arena in Moscow on July 13, 2025. (Photo by TATYANA MAKEYEVA / AFP via Getty Images)

Alex Ovechkin Finally Faces Some Pushback For Supporting Vladimir Putin

Josh Allen pats Aidan Hutchinson on the helmet after their game