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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

Ray Ratto

The San Francisco 49ers looks on during the fourth quarter of a game against the Seattle Seahawks at Levi's Stadium on November 17, 2024. He looks kind of frustrated.

The 49ers Might Just Be Like This

Lauren Theisen

Josh Allen runs the ball to score a touchdown

Josh Allen Ran Through Kansas City’s Perfect Record

David Roth

NBA and FanDuel online sports betting signage is displayed on the side of a building in Phoenix, Arizona.

Podcasts

Doing Cocaine In An MRI Machine, With Arif Hasan

Jared Goff walks off the field after a win

Jared Goff Threw Five Interceptions And None Of Them Mattered

Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens carries the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals. The image is blurry in an artful way.

America Needs More Ravens/Bengals Football

Closeup of painted Oakland Raiders fans in Black Hole during game vs New York Jets in Oakland in 2003. They've got like weird helmets and skull stuff going on.

A Taste Of That Football-Shaped Bread, With Ray Ratto

<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>


Drew Magary

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 15: San Diego Chicken (Ted Giannoulis) cooks up some chicken wings on his grill at his home nest, April 15, 1986 in San Diego, California.

Funbag

Don’t Sauce My Fried Chicken If You Suck At It

Head coach Antonio Pierce of the Las Vegas Raiders yells during the first quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium in Week 9 of the 2024 NFL season.

Raiders Fire Three Coaches For Lack Of Anything Else To Do


<p>Dan McQuade was a founding member of Defector. He died in January 2026.</p>


Dan McQuade

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - NOVEMBER 03: Saquon Barkley #26 of the Philadelphia Eagles hurdles Jarrian Jones #22 of the Jacksonville Jaguars in the second quarter of a game at Lincoln Financial Field on November 03, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Eagles Take One Giant Leap Backwards In Win Over Jaguars

Kamala Harris smiling out at the crowd at her big rally in Washington, D.C. on October 29, 2024. There's a bunch of people cheering behind her and she's wearing a suit.

Watching The Game, With Denny Carter

Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy speaks to media at a press conference after the game against the Detroit Lions on October 13, 2024. He is wearing a plaid Cowboys hat and looks exhausted.

Mike McCarthy Is Still Sitting In The Hottest Seat In Sports

Harrison Bader (left) and Jesse Winker (right) celebrate in the outfield at CitiField after the Mets defeated the Philadelphia Phillies in the NLDS. Bader is yelling; Winker, also yelling, kind of looks like a snake a little bit.

The Hazards Of Beef Tourism, With Rohan Nadkarni

Las Vegas Raiders owner and managing general partner and Las Vegas Aces owner Mark Davis (L) and Tom Brady attend Game One of the 2023 WNBA Playoffs finals between the Aces and the New York Liberty. Brady looks kind of gaunt and pointy; Davis looks like Mark Davis.

As Owner Or Broadcaster, All Tom Brady Has To Do Is Show Up

Head coach Doug Pederson of the Jacksonville Jaguars adjusts his headset prior to an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills. He looks pretty goofy, and the JAMBORAY badge is imposed over the Jags logo on his shirt.

Jamboroo

A Bet You’ll Always Lose

The Jets Feel Forever One Poke Away From Collapse

Wide receiver Plaxico Burress #17 of the New York Giants warms up for the game with the Arizona Cardinals on November 23, 2008. It looks like he's looking at the Distraction logo at upper right of the frame.

The Plaxico Continuum

Las Vegas Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce walks on the sidelines during the NFL game between the Las Vegas Raiders and the Baltimore Ravens.

Antonio Pierce Abruptly Realizes He Is Coaching The Raiders

New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr (4) does an interview with FOX Sports Tom Rinaldi after the game between the Dallas Cowboys and the New Orleans Saints.

Derek Carr Is Officially Too Racy For The NFL

<div class="author-header-content">
<p>Charles P. Pierce is a writer at <em>Esquire</em> and the author of four books, most recently <em>Idiot America</em>, and has been a working journalist since 1976. He lives near Boston with his wife but no longer his three children.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
</div>
<div class="author-header-shares"></div>


Charles P. Pierce

LOGAN, UT - SEPTEMBER 14: Caleb Lohner #84 of the Utah Utes catches a touchdown pass over JD Drew #3 of the Utah State Aggies during the first half of their game at Maverik Stadium on September 14, 2024 in Logan, Utah.(Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)

College Football

Football Will Live Or Die With Its Rivalries

Caleb Williams gets his jersey tugged while avoiding a sack

The Texans Made Caleb Williams Very Uncomfortable

Chris Boswell #9 of the Pittsburgh Steelers kicks a field goal during the fourth quarter against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 1.

It’s A Field Goal League Now

David Montgomery with his knee on top of a tackler

David Montgomery Steamrolled Detroit’s Opening-Night Jitters

Isaiah Likely of the Baltimore Ravens stretches for a pass he can't quite catch near the end of the fourth quarter of the 2024 NFL season opener in Kansas City.

Who’ll Stop The Reign?

Head coach Antonio Pierce of the Las Vegas Raiders stands on the sidelines during the national anthem prior to an NFL preseason football game against the San Francisco 49ers, at Allegiant Stadium on August 23, 2024.

The Good, The Bad, And The Kalyn, With Kalyn Kahler

CLEVELAND - 1987: Defensive backs Hanford Dixon #29 and Frank Minnifield #31 of the Cleveland Browns draw plays in the dirt on the field before a game at Municipal Stadium circa 1987 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images)

Football