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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

Dave McKenna

Jayden Daniels and Terry McLaurin smile after beating the Lions in the divisional round.

The Commanders Are Happy To Be Here, And Happier To Beat Down The Lions

The building of the Washington Post newspaper headquarter is seen on K Street in Washington DC on May 16, 2019.

Journalismism

The Familiarity And Sadness Of Watching The Washington Post Go To Hell

The Doink Heard ’Round The Beltway

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 27: Skip Bayless is seen on October 27, 2017 in Los Angeles, CA.

Media Meltdowns

Lawsuit Claims Skip Bayless Tried To Pay FS1 Hairstylist For Sex

LAGRANGE, GA - JUNE 10: Former US President Jimmy Carter and former First Lady Rosalyn Carter attach siding to the front of a Habitat for Humanity home being built June 10, 2003 in LaGrange, Georgia. More than 90 homes are being built in LaGrange; Valdosta, Georgia; and Anniston, Alabama by volunteers as part of Habitat for Humanity International's Jimmy Carter Work Project 2003.

Politics

Jimmy Carter Was The Iron Man Of Hospice


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Sabrina Imbler

A still from a movie. a white woman in a red coat and a red beanie stands in front of a dilapidated house that needs fixing up.

Arts And Culture

Defector Watches A Christmas Movie: ‘’Tis The Season To Be Irish’

Alexandria, VA - October 25 - Hayfield coach Darryl Overton speaks to his team Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, after they fall to No. 3 Riverdale Baptist at Hayfield High School in Alexandria, Va. (Photo by Luke Johnson for The Washington Post via Getty Images)

High School Sports

Scandal-Ridden High School Football Powerhouse Removed From Virginia Playoffs

An illustration depicting high school football player attempting to catch a gigantic football

How An Imported State Champion Blew Up Virginia High School Football

UFC Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones, at right, punches challenger Stipe Miocic, who is on his back, during their heavyweight title bout at Madison Square Garden in New York, on November 16, 2024.

The Fights

Jon Jones Doesn’t Have To Change His Evil Ways

Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano fight at AT&T Stadium on November 15, 2024.

Ifs, Ands, And Headbutts: Irish Superhero Katie Taylor Takes Another Disputed Decision From Amanda Serrano

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - NOVEMBER 8: Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis poses during the weigh in ahead of his November 9th IBF World Welterweight title fight against Karen Chukhadzhian at 2300 Arena on November 8, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (

Boots Ennis Learns That Being Boring Can Be Worse Than Losing

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - AUGUST 24: Jude McAtamney #99 of the New York Giants kicks against the New York Jets during a preseason game at MetLife Stadium on August 24, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Giants Loss Marked By Anti-Irish Playcalling

LANDOVER, MD - CIRCA 1992: Jerrod Mustaf #0 of the Phoenix Suns warms up prior to playing the Washington Bullets in an NBA basketball game circa 1992 at the Capital Centre in Landover, Maryland. Mustaf played for the Suns from 1991-94.

Sadly, Jerrod Mustaf Was More Than A Basketball Player

Lauren Theisen

David Roth

Luis Paez-Pumar

Defector Music Club

Defector Music Club Blows Up The Chicken Man

Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees hits a two-run home run in the seventh inning against the Cleveland Guardians during Game Two of the American League Championship Series at Yankee Stadium on October 15, 2024 in New York City.

Aaron Judge Finally Woke Up

An illustration of a little league baseball player trying to swing an oversized gavel as parents look on

Life's Rich Pageant

A Very Ugly Year In The Life Of A D.C. Little League

A general view of the DraftKings logo in the outfield during the Major League baseball game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Washington Nationals on June 22, 2021 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphis, PA.

Gambling

MLB Players Association Sues Sportsbooks For NIL Thievery

US author and journalist Diana Nyad arrives for Elle's 2023 Women in Hollywood celebration, at Nya Studios in Los Angeles, California, on December 5, 2023.

Swimming

Lawsuit: Open Water Swimming Expert Rewrote Swimming History To Glorify Diana Nyad

Viewer discretion warning at the start of FBI PSA

Dadfector

Run, Hide, Fight, Die

Defector Up All Night

Vet Stories, With Dave McKenna

French boxer Laurent Dauthuille trains on October 27, 1946 at the Palais sed Sports in Paris before his match against Robert Charron.

Everlast Love: The Tale Of Me And The Heavy Bag

Dublin , Ireland - 21 July 2024; Tony Kelly of Clare scores his side's third goal during the GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship Final match between Clare and Cork at Croke Park in Dublin.

Hurling

The All-Ireland Hurling Final Was A Historic Cracker

Wings Week

Cherish Every Wing Wednesday

Peyton Ham, a 16-year-old from Leonardtown, Md, stands next to his grandfather, Keith Raley, while doing tree clearing work. Two days after this photo was taken Ham was shot and killed by a Maryland State Police trooper.

Policing

U.S. Court Of Appeals Rules Against Cop Who Killed Peyton Ham

Dublin , Ireland - 29 June 2024; Paul Mannion of Dublin in action against Jack Glynn of Galway during the GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship quarter-final match between Dublin and Galway at Croke Park in Dublin. (Photo By Harry Murphy/Sportsfile via Getty Images)