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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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Giri Nathan

Samer Kalaf

Azeez al-Shaair #0 of the Houston Texans warms up prior to the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at NRG Stadium on September 20, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images)

NFL Threatened To Pull Azeez Al-Shaair From Game For Eye Black Memorializing Palestinian Child

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Mike Tanier has covered the NFL for 20 years for Football Outsiders, the New York Times, The Messenger, Bleacher Report, Sports on Earth, and other ancient empires. He&#8217;s a co-author of Aaron Schatz&#8217;s FTN Football Almanac and the author of the Y/A novel for grownups Long Snapper&#8217;s Blues. He lives off Exit 3 of the New Jersey Turnpike with his long-suffering wife, two sons and a 70-pound American Bully named Frank the Tank. His newsletter, <a href="https://too-deep-zone.ghost.io/">Too Deep Zone</a>, has officially launched.
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Mike Tanier

Why Your Team Sucks

Why Your Team Sucks 2026: Houston Texans

Azeez Al-Shaair wearing "Stop the Genocide" eye black before the Texans' game against the Patriots

NFL Sends Mixed Signals In Its Stance On Genocide

K'lavon Chaisson #44 of the New England Patriots tackles C.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans in the first half during an AFC Divisional Playoff game

C.J. Stroud’s Nightmare First Half Dooms The Texans

Stephen A. Smith attends the game between the Houston Texans and Pittsburgh Steelers

Media Meltdowns

Stephen A. Smith Attributes Outstanding NFL Performance To The Late Charlie Kirk

Ray Ratto

Will Anderson Jr. #51 of the Houston Texans forces Aaron Rodgers #8 of the Pittsburgh Steelers to fumble the ball and Sheldon Rankins #90 of the Houston Texans returns it for a touchdown in the fourth quarter of an NFL wild card playoff game on January 12, 2026.

The Houston Texans Ushered Aaron Rodgers Into Oblivion

Tom Ley

Azeez Al-Shaair #0 of the Houston Texans intercepts a pass intended for Travis Kelce #87 of the Kansas City Chiefs during the fourth quarter at Arrowhead Stadium on December 07, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri.

The Chiefs Are No Longer Getting Away With It

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 Point B. Handsomest man in the world.

Drew Magary

C.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans reacts after being sacked against the Houston Texans during the fourth quarter in the AFC Divisional Playoff at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on January 18, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri.

Why Your Team Sucks 2025: Houston Texans

Tennessee Titans cheerleaders perform in "Luv ya Blue" jackets during a game between the Tennessee Titans and Houston Texans, December 17, 2023 at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee.