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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.

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Defector

The Defector Crewneck Sweatshirt Is Back In Stock

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Merch v3

2019-01-01 00:15:14.989

Maitreyi Anantharaman

Charles Omenihu #90 of the Kansas City Chiefs grabs the face mask of Geno Smith #7 of the Las Vegas Raiders during the first quarter in the game at Arrowhead Stadium on October 19, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri.

Las Vegas Raiders v Kansas City Chiefs

A Thorough And Depressing Review Of The Raiders’ Three First Downs

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Ray Ratto

Head coach Jonathan Gannon fist bumps Kyler Murray #1 of the Arizona Cardinals prior to a game against the Carolina Panthers at State Farm Stadium on September 14, 2025 in Glendale, Arizona.

Carolina Panthers v Arizona Cardinals

Which Trash Team Rules The NFL’s Dumpster?

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Barry Petchesky

DENVER, COLORADO - OCTOBER 19: Jaxson Dart #6 of the New York Giants walks off the field after his team's 33-32 loss against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field At Mile High on October 19, 2025 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)

New York Giants v Denver Broncos

The Giants Will Kill Me And I Will Deserve It

Max Scherzer of the Toronto Blue Jays reacts after striking out Randy Arozarena #56 of the Seattle Mariners in the fifth inning during Game Four of the American League Championship Series. He is making "the Tim Robinson face."

Championship Series – Toronto Blue Jays v Seattle Mariners – Game 4

Night Of The Old Guy

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David Roth

Caleb Williams of the Chicago Bears looks on prior to an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium on October 13, 2025 in Landover, Maryland.

Chicago Bears v Washington Commanders – NFL 2025

Podcasts

The Most Difficult Job In The World, With Seth Wickersham

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Tom Ley

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Jamboroo

I Have Developed An Unexpected And Revelatory Bond With My Car

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<p class="sc-77igqf-0 bOfvBY">Vince Guerrieri is an award-winning journalist and author in the Cleveland area. He likes Lake Erie perch sandwiches, Jim Traficant and long walks on the field at League Park. His website is <a class="sc-1out364-0 hMndXN sc-145m8ut-0 kGbjEv js_link" href="http://vinceguerrieri.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-ga="[[&quot;Embedded Url&quot;,&quot;External link&quot;,&quot;http://vinceguerrieri.com/&quot;,{&quot;metric25&quot;:1}]]">vinceguerrieri.com</a>, and you can follow him on Twitter <a class="sc-1out364-0 hMndXN sc-145m8ut-0 kGbjEv js_link" href="https://twitter.com/vinceguerrieri" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-ga="[[&quot;Embedded Url&quot;,&quot;External link&quot;,&quot;https://twitter.com/vinceguerrieri&quot;,{&quot;metric25&quot;:1}]]">@vinceguerrieri</a>.</p>
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Vince Guerrieri

USA - CIRCA 1950s: Otto Graham of the Cleveland Browns runs with the ball circa 1950s. (Photo by Sporting News via Getty Images via Getty Images)

Otto Graham of the Cleveland Browns

The Day The Browns Crafted A Playbook Entirely Out Of Spite

Head coach James Franklin of the Penn State Nittany Lions claps during the game against the Northwestern Wildcats at Beaver Stadium on October 11, 2025 in State College, Pennsylvania.

Northwestern v Penn State

College Football

When In Doubt, Fire The Coach

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<div><a href="https://www.bystefanfatsis.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.bystefanfatsis.com/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1759235100786000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1mlCW5_XUY56jklGr11a_z">Stefan Fatsis</a> is the author of four books: <a href="https://groveatlantic.com/book/unabridged/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://groveatlantic.com/book/unabridged/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1759235100786000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0jbw5ZscOBp6w-1um3R6yu"><i>Unabridged</i></a>, <a href="https://bookshop.org/p/books/a-few-seconds-of-panic-a-sportswriter-plays-in-the-nfl-stefan-fatsis/7891278" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://bookshop.org/p/books/a-few-seconds-of-panic-a-sportswriter-plays-in-the-nfl-stefan-fatsis/7891278&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1759235100786000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0MpNNngIOKaj-715hSNVZD"><i>A Few Seconds of Panic</i></a>, <a href="https://bookshop.org/p/books/word-freak-heartbreak-triumph-genius-and-obsession-in-the-world-of-competitive-scrabblep-layers-stefan-fatsis/11648962" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://bookshop.org/p/books/word-freak-heartbreak-triumph-genius-and-obsession-in-the-world-of-competitive-scrabblep-layers-stefan-fatsis/11648962&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1759235100786000&amp;usg=AOvVaw02LL51Wrka0A0lLkwOxYUj"><i>Word Freak</i></a>, and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Wild-Outside-Renegade-Baseball-Heartland/dp/0802712975" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.amazon.com/Wild-Outside-Renegade-Baseball-Heartland/dp/0802712975&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1759235100786000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1YzbrZGW2KCbIttDDLhkPn"><i>Wild and Outside</i></a>. He&#8217;s also a former cohost of “Hang Up and Listen,” commentator on NPR&#8217;s &#8220;All Things Considered,&#8221; and reporter for <i>The Wall Street Journal</i>.</div>
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Stefan Fatsis

DENVER, CO - OCTOBER 27: From right to left Kordell Kills Crow, Gerard Montour and Chuntay Her Many Horses sing and play the drums during their protest outside of Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver, Co on October 27, 2013. The protestors are against what they perceive as the "racist" Washington NFL team, and the name of their mascot the Washington Redskins in Denver, Co on October 27, 2013. (Photo By Helen H. Richardson/ The Denver Post)

American Indian Movement protest the Washington Redskins as they arrive in town to play the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile HIgh in Denver, Co.

The Annotated History Of A Slur

Linebacker Brian Burns #0 of the New York Giants sacks quarterback Jalen Hurts #1 of the Philadelphia Eagles on 10/9/25.

Philadelphia Eagles v New York Giants

Eagles Fans Can Go Ahead And Freak Out Now

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Lauren Theisen

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 05: Bad Bunny attends the 2025 Met Gala Celebrating "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style" at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 05, 2025 in New York City.

The 2025 Met Gala Celebrating “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” – Arrivals

Politics

Who’s Afraid Of The Big Bad Bunny, And Why?

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is seen on the field prior to the game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on October 5, 2025 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Dallas Cowboys v New York Jets – NFL 2025

The Raised Middle Finger Is Implied

<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>


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Drew Magary

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 06: Gary Oldman and Jonathan Pryce attend the SAG-AFTRA Foundation Conversations Presents "Slow Horses" event at The Meryl Streep Center for Performing Artists on June 06, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Araya Doheny/Getty Images for SAG-AFTRA Foundation)

SAG-AFTRA Foundation Conversations Presents “Slow Horses”

How ‘Slow Horses’ Explains The World


<p>Investigations Editor. You can contact her at diana@defector.com or dfmoskovitz@protonmail.com. She&#8217;s also on Signal @dmoskovitz.99</p>


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Diana Moskovitz

Tyreek Hill #10 of the Miami Dolphins looks on prior to a NFL Preseason 2025 game between Jacksonville Jaguars and Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on August 23, 2025 in Miami Gardens, Florida. He is wearing a grey shirt with the Dolphins logo.

Tyreek Hill

Here’s The Court Document Tyreek Hill Didn’t Want Anyone To See

Trevor Lawrence on the ground during a Chiefs-Jaguars play

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The Chiefs Couldn’t Stop A Quarterback Who Fell On His Butt

<p>Hamilton Nolan is a journalist based in New York City. Subscribe to his work at <a href="https://www.hamiltonnolan.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.hamiltonnolan.com/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1687350200913000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0naFbUVOe-5ZgtPDtIM3gz">HamiltonNolan.com</a>.</p>


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Hamilton Nolan

JACKSONVILLE, FL - OCTOBER 06: Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) celebrateswith teammates after scoring a touchdown during the game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Jacksonville Jaguars on October 6, 2025 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fl. (Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire)

NFL: OCT 06 Chiefs at Jaguars

Jaguars Junction: Week 5

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Giri Nathan

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - FEBRUARY 07: ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter on set ahead of Super Bowl LIX on February 07, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs will face each other on Sunday. (Photo by Aaron M. Sprecher/Getty Images)

Super Bowl LIX Previews

Journalismism

Adam Schefter Reports That Mark Sanchez Was Stabbed In “Robbery,” Doesn’t Explain His Error

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Luis Paez-Pumar

Drake Maye #10 of the New England Patriots throws a pass during the first quarter against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on October 5, 2025 in Orchard Park, New York.

New England Patriots v Buffalo Bills – NFL 2025

Drake Maye Had Me Hooting And Hollering For A 12-Yard Pass

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Samer Kalaf

Tyler Lockett #4 of the Tennessee Titans recovers a fumble for a touchdown in front of Budda Baker #3 of the Arizona Cardinals during the fourth quarter

Tennessee Titans v Arizona Cardinals – NFL 2025

No Team Has Ever Tried Harder To Lose Than The Cardinals

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Justin Ellis

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 05: Rico Dowdle #5 of the Carolina Panthers carries the ball during the third quarter against the Miami Dolphins in the game at Bank of America Stadium on October 05, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

Miami Dolphins v Carolina Panthers – NFL 2025

Rico Dowdle Tapped The Power Of The Pickle

NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 28: A man walks his dog in Central Park as the sun rises behind trees turning color on October 28, 2024, in New York City. (Photo by Gary Hershorn/Getty Images)

Central Park in New York City

October Is The Stuff Of Life


<p>Visual Editor. Runs <a href="http://defectorstore.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">defectorstore.com</a>. Philadelphia-based, if you couldn’t tell.</p>


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Dan McQuade

Tom Brady wearing white-on-white tie and shirt combo in the broadcast booth and sort of looking like a caterer.

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Congratulations To Tom Brady On Making His First Holy Communion

Owner Jerry Jones of the Dallas Cowboys looks on before the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on September 21, 2025. He has big sunglasses on.

Dallas Cowboys v Chicago Bears

For Jerry Jones, A Tie Is As Good As A Win

Head coach Dan Campbell of the Detroit Lions looks on prior to an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears at Ford Field on September 14, 2025. The Distraction logo is at upper left.

Chicago Bears v Detroit Lions

Analytics, Feel, And The Bathroom Sandwich Scenario, With Andy Behrens And Christopher Harris

UNSPECIFIED - CIRCA 1993: Still life: Medicinal pills and tablets. (Photo By DEA / G. CIGOLINI/De Agostini via Getty Images)

Medicinal pills and tablets

My Life As A Pharmaceutical-American