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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

<p>Alexandra Tey is a writer, photographer, and birdwatcher living in Queens, New York.</p>


Alexandra Tey

Life's Rich Pageant

The Anti-Fascist Power Of Trans Women Wrestling In Nacho Cheese

Dave McKenna

U.S. Vice President JD Vance shows off his shamrock themed socks as he delivers remarks at a St. Patrick's Day breakfast for Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin at the vice president's residence on March 12, 2025 in Washington, DC. Martin is visiting the United States for the Irish leader's annual St. Patrick's Day visit where he will meet with U.S. President Donald Trump and attend a St. Patrick's Day lunch with congressional leaders.

Is JD Vance Irish? Be Careful Who You Ask

Barry Petchesky

Chris Robinson of the United States stands at the finish line after competing in the Men's 400 Meters Hurdles during the third leg of the Grand Slam Track series at Franklin Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, on May 31, 2025. (Photo by STR/NurPhoto)

Hurdler Wins 400-Meter Race Despite His Dick And Balls Falling Out Several Times

<p>Former Defector intern, now freelancer.</p>
<p>For professional inquiries or tips please write lucybl00m@protonmail.com or yuck.20 on Signal.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>


Lucy Bloom

A woman buying a packet of cigarettes in a tobacconist shopin London, leaves a spare one in a cigarette collection box, which will be sent on to a hospital for wounded soldiers during the Second World War June 1940

A Weak Night In La Crosse

Pope Leo XIV (C) reacts wearing a Chicago White Sox baseball team cap as he meets newly wedded couples during the weekly general audience in St Peter's Square at the Vatican on June 11, 2025. (Photo by Filippo MONTEFORTE / AFP)

Chicago Man Wears White Sox Cap To Work

<div>Jen Kinney is a journalist and audio producer with a troubling fixation on debris, detritus, and discard.</div>


Jen Kinney

Capital

Seven Days At The Bin Store

<div>
<p>Sebastian Stockman is a Teaching Professor in English at Northeastern University, a writer whose work has appeared in the <em>Washington Post </em>and the <em>Boston Globe</em> among many other places, and a guy who publishes <a href="https://sebastianstockman.substack.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://sebastianstockman.substack.com/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1748539688609000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0eIUYaj1h-eA1-XIa8i0L7">A Saturday Letter,</a> a very occasional free thing. Follow him on Bluesky @<a href="https://bsky.app/profile/substockman.bsky.social">substockman.bsky.social</a>.</p>
</div>
<div></div>


Sebastian Stockman

Florida, Miami, Arscht Performing Arts Center, The Miami Herald Spelling Bee, test, competition, stage, overview, contestants, judges, moderator, sit, chair, elimination, opera house,

Confessions Of A Spelling Bee Pronouncer

Tom Ley

Tracy Morgan, Timothee Chalamet and Ben Stiller attend Game One of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2025 NBA Playoffs between the New York Knicks and the Indiana Pacers at Madison Square Garden on May 21, 2025 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.

Congratulations, You Are Officially Having A Better Day Than Several Celebrities

Paul Pierce Turns Grim Men’s Wager Into Pleasant Men’s March

Ray Ratto

Cardinal Robert Prevost, newly elected as Pope Leo XIV is seen on the Saint Peter's Basilica balcony, at Saint Peter's Square in Vatican on April 8, 2025.

Well, They Made A Cubs Fan The Pope [UPDATE]

Samer Kalaf

NFL coach Jeff Ulbrich jogging out of the tunnel.

Jeff Ulbrich’s Dreadful Son Was Behind The Shedeur Sanders Prank Call

Kathryn Xu

A racegoer relaxes on day two of the Grand National Festival horse race meeting at Aintree Racecourse in Liverpool, north-west England, on April 4, 2025. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP)

Please Enjoy These Photos Of Drunk People At An English Horse Race

Bryce Harper #3 of the Philadelphia Phillies looks on in the dugout in the third inning during a spring training game against the Baltimore Orioles at BayCare Ballpark on March 2, 2025 in Clearwater, Florida.

Bob, That’s The Wrong Bryce!

Vintage engraving of Army officers playing a game of Kriegsspiel, 1870s, 19th century. Kriegsspiel is a genre of wargaming developed by the Prussian army in the 19th century to teach battlefield tactics to officers.

‘Pandemic Legacy’ Has Destroyed My Life

AI Anthony Davis points a gun at his head

The Mavericks Don’t Want To Talk About Their Creepy AI Video In Which Anthony Davis Points A Gun At His Head

North Carolina Tar Heels football head coach Bill Belichick and his girlfriend Jordon Hudson look on during the first half of the game between the North Carolina Tar Heels and the Duke Blue Devils at Dean E. Smith Center on March 08, 2025 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

Bill Belichick: Please Email My Girlfriend

The Cranks Next Door

A news chyron that reads: Man arrested for shooting two people in Miami Beach

This Is The Logical Endpoint Of Zionism

Giri Nathan

A Stinky Pilgrimage To The Corpse Flower, With Notes Of Rat, Sweat, And Cheese

A recall notice on a case of Boar's Head products.

“Residual Ham Material,” And Even More Evocative Phrases From USDA Inspections Of Boar’s Head Plants

Luis Paez-Pumar

SS Lazio mascotte eagle Olimpia with the falconer Juan Bernabe on the pitch after the Serie A TIM match between SS Lazio and US Lecce - Serie A TIM at Stadio Olimpico on January 14, 2024 in Rome, Italy.

Soccer

Lazio Fires Fascist Falconer For Posting Penis Implant Pictures

<p>Ashwin Rodrigues is a <a href="https://ashwinrodrigues.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://ashwinrodrigues.com&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1736881844399000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2gTYrT5B9gKSQ8eCIDai5A">freelance writer</a> and Arsenal supporter living in New York. His work has been featured in <em>GQ</em>, <em>Fast Company</em>, Vice, <em>Wired</em> and other publications.</p>


Ashwin Rodrigues

An Arsenal fan wearing a shirt that reads "Mr. Gooner"

A Tale Of Two Gooners

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


Chris Thompson

A Comprehensive And Maddening History Of Color Star, Would-Be Titans Of Just About Anything

Israel Daramola

College Football

Burying The SEC Feels Too Good To Be Wrong

Defector Staff

Accademia carrara art gallery: playing cards and tarots, bembo e cicognara, 1455-1490, bergamo, Italy.