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

Tom Ley

Jose Leclerc #25 of the Texas Rangers celebrates after striking out Jon Singleton #28 of the Houston Astros to end the eighth inning in Game Six of the American League Championship Series at Minute Maid Park on October 22, 2023 in Houston, Texas.

José Leclerc Stepped Away From The Void

Defector Up All Night

Oh What The Heck, Here’s A Weekend Open Thread

P.J. Tucker#17 James Harden #1 and Tyrese Maxey #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers during an open scrimmage on October 14, 2023 at Chase Fieldhouse in Wilmington, Delaware.

James Harden Has Made His Next Move

Managing Partner John Fisher of the Oakland Athletics in the stands during the game against the Chicago Cubs at RingCentral Coliseum on April 17, 2023 in Oakland, California. The Cubs defeated the Athletics 10-1.

A’s Reliever Trevor May Retires, Tells Owner To “Take Mommy And Daddy’s Money Somewhere Else”

Megan Rapinoe #15 of OL Reign reacts after her last home regular-season NWSL match at Lumen Field on October 06, 2023 in Seattle, Washington.

Soccer

Megan Rapinoe Put Retirement Off A Little Longer

Announcements

Programming Notes

Atlanta Braves shortstop Orlando Arcia (11) gestures to fans during game four of the NLDS game between the Atlanta Braves and the Philadelphia Phillies on October 12, 2023, at Citizens Bank Park.

Reporters Are Allowed To Report

Bryce Harper #3 of the Philadelphia Phillies rounds second base ant stares down Orlando Arcia #11 of the Atlanta Braves during Game 3 of the NLDS on October 11, 2023 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The Braves Are Being Babies About Bryce Harper’s Mean Little Stare

Carlos Correa #4 of the Minnesota Twins reacts after hitting a double in the seventh inning during Game 2 of the Division Series between the Minnesota Twins and the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on Sunday, October 8, 2023 in Houston, Texas.

The Twins Unleashed Their Dudes

John Schneider #14 of the Toronto Blue Jays looks on prior to Game One of the Wild Card Series against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field on October 03, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

What Was John Schneider Thinking?

Chicago Fire fans celebrate from the stands at SeatGeek Stadium on June 6, 2023 in Bridgeview, Illinois.

Chicago Fire Tries Bribing Fans To Attend Game Messi Might Not Play In

Lori Teresa Yearwood Made A Difference

A Chicago Bears bears fan stands with a paper bag on his head after the game against the Denver Broncos at Soldier Field on October 01, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois.

The Bears Are The Biggest Embarrassment

Cincinnati Bengals fans cheer during the game against the Los Angeles Rams and the Cincinnati Bengals on September 25, 2023, at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, OH.

Here’s A Weekend Open Thread To Enjoy

Head coach Matt LaFleur of the Green Bay Packers looks on prior to a game against the New Orleans Saints at Lambeau Field on September 24, 2023 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

The Lions Are Finally Good Enough To Cause Someone Else’s Coach To Have An Emotional Outburst

Jim Tomsula stands with his players after winning the 2023 ELF title

Things We Actually Like

Jim Tomsula Is A Goddamn Champion

Head coach Sean Payton of the Denver Broncos talks to Russell Wilson #3 of the Denver Broncos prior to a game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on September 24, 2023 in Miami Gardens, Florida.

The Game Of The Year Is In Six Days

Julie Ertz #8 of the United States watches a tribute video after playing South Africa at TQL Stadium on September 21, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Julie Ertz Was The USWNT

Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields (1) gets sacked during the NFL Football match between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Chicago Bears on September 17, 2023 at TIAA Bank Field Stadium, FL.

The Bears Have Wasted No Time In Initiating Their Meltdown

Spain's midfielder Patri Guijarro (L) and Spain's defender Mapi Leon talk to the press after announcing they are leaving the national selection, in front of their hotel in Oliva near Valencia, on September 20, 2023 ahead of the UEFA Nations League football matches against Sweden and Switzerland. New Spain coach Montse Tome named a surprise 23-woman squad for upcoming Nations League qualifiers including 20 players officially on strike. Players demand structural changes in the Spanish football federation (RFEF) after the President forcibly kissed a player on the lips after Spain won the World Cup in Sydney on August 20, provoking worldwide outrage.

Spain Fills Women’s National Team Roster By Promising A Festival Of Beheadings

Olga Carmona is seen during the first call of the Spain Women Team leaving the Alameda Barajas Hotel for the Valencia concentration on September 19, 2023, in Barajas, Madrid, Spain.

Spain’s Soccer Federation Has Once Again Barfed Into Its Own Pants

Two Olimpia players stay down after being tackled.

The Sports Highlight Of The Day Is This Flying Double-Tackle

Micah Parsons #11 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates after recovering a fumble against the New York Jets during the second half at AT&amp;T Stadium on September 17, 2023 in Arlington, Texas.

Nobody’s Playing Better Football Than Micah Parsons

Defensive back Henry Blackburn #11 of the Colorado State Rams celebrates after a first quarter interception against the Colorado Buffaloes at Folsom Field on September 16, 2023 in Boulder, Colorado.

College Football

Maybe It Was A Bad Idea To Take A Cheap Shot At Travis Hunter

Josh Harris (C), a new owner of the Washington Commanders, poses for a photo with his wife Marjorie Harris (L) and mother Sylvia Harris after a press conference introducing the team's new ownership at FedExField on July 21, 2023 in Landover, Maryland. NFL teams owners have unanimously approved a $6.05 billion sale of the Commanders from Dan Snyder to a group led by Josh Harris.