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Defector

Ray Ratto

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

Lauren Theisen

The Jets Feel Forever One Poke Away From Collapse

David Roth

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.

Podcasts

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>
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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

<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

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)

A Well-Executed Day

DETROIT, MI - APRIL 25: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell walks out on the stage during day 1 of the NFL Draft on April 25, 2024 at Fox Theatre in Detroit, MI. (Photo by John Smolek/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The 18-Game NFL Season Already Feels Inevitable

Dave McKenna

Hundreds of hopefuls try out for the Albany Empires Arena Football League team at Sportsplex Saturday Jan. 27, 2018 in Halfmoon, NY. (Photo by John Carl D'Annibale /Albany Times Union via Getty Images)

Arena Football

Update: Yes, The Newest Arena Football League Is Already Collapsing

Is The Newest Arena Football League Already Collapsing?

Drake Maye wears "Draft Me" sunglasses during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 2, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Data, Romance, And The NFL Draft, With Alec Lewis

Derrick Henry #22 of the Tennessee Titans stretches toward the end zone for a touchdown

Derrick Henry Is Here To Remind The Ravens To Run The Fucking Ball

<div>Nate Jackson is a former NFL tight end and author of <a href="https://bookshop.org/p/books/slow-getting-up-a-story-of-nfl-survival-from-the-bottom-of-the-pile-nate-jackson/6430451?gclid=Cj0KCQjwpc-oBhCGARIsAH6ote9JzWMngZDpSjF2eoL1_JlyPm2QhDfkNgOzqvaB4n9ic0qqUNQ4iCwaAsasEALw_wcB"><em>Slow Getting Up</em></a>. He lives in Denver.</div>
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Nate Jackson

A football is being balanced on top of a syringe and vaccine vial.

My NFL Career Ended With A Needle And A Scam

Jauan Jennings celebrates with his teammates after scoring a touchdown

Jauan Jennings Had The Best Game He’ll Ever Want To Forget

Mecole Hardman celebrates with Patrick Mahomes after scoring

Show The Guys When They’re Happiest

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


Chris Thompson

Travis Kelce #87 of the Kansas City Chiefs yells in the face of head coach Andy Reid in the first half against the San Francisco 49ers during Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium on February 11, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The First Half Of The Super Bowl Was No Fun For Anyone

What Happens Next?

Josh Reynolds jumps into the stands after a touchdown catch

The Lions Are The Only Choice Left

CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE, CO - OCTOBER 13: Former Denver Broncos head coach Mike Shanahan poses for a portrait at his home on Wednesday, October 13, 2021. Shanahan, who won back to back Super Bowls as Denver’s head coach in the 1990s, will be inducted into the team’s ring of fame during the Broncos’ matchup with the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

Football