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

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

Announcements

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.

Defector Up All Night

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.

Soccer

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.

What Will The Future Of NFL Ownership Look Like?

A super cute dog from the pet sematary:bloodlines trailer

This Is So Stupid

Apologies To The Makers Of The ‘Pet Sematary’ Prequel, But I Would Call This Dog “My Little Sweetie Baby” And Rub Its Belly

Aaron Rodgers sits on the turf during an NFL football game between the New York Jets and the Buffalo Bills, Monday, Sept. 11, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J.

Aaron Rodgers Is Broken And The Jets Are Back In The Mud

A general view of a DraftKings advertisement on top of the Green Monster during the ALS Awareness college baseball game between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Boston College Eagles on May 19, 2023, at Fenway Park in Boston, MA.

Life's Rich Pageant

DraftKings Apologizes For Pushing “Never Forget” 9/11 Parlay

Three Years Of Defector

Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys warms up prior to a game against the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Levi's Stadium on January 22, 2023 in Santa Clara, California.

Dak Prescott Finally Ready To Win Super Bowl After Learning Tactical Breathing Maneuvers From Ex-Navy SEALs

Minnesota Twins third baseman Royce Lewis (23) hits a grand slam during the second inning of the Major League Baseball game between the Minnesota Twins and Cleveland Guardians on September 4, 2023, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH.

Royce Lewis Is The Grand Slam Man

Fans of Darmstadt react during the Bundesliga match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and SV Darmstadt 98 at BayArena on September 02, 2023 in Leverkusen, Germany.

Have A Ball In The Labor Day Weekend Open Thread

Wander Franco #5 of the Tampa Bay Rays looks on during the ninth inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Tropicana Field on August 12, 2023 in St Petersburg, Florida.

Report: Prosecutors Now Investigating Two Official Complaints Against Wander Franco

Lucas Giolito #24 of the Los Angeles Angels pitches in the first inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on August 22, 2023 in Anaheim, California.

Who Wants Some Guys?

Luis Rubiales, President of the Royal Spanish Federation greets Aitana Bonmati of Spain after the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia &amp; New Zealand 2023 Final match between Spain and England at Stadium Australia on August 20, 2023 in Sydney, Australia.