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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

You DID Hear It From Us: There's Normal Gossip Merch

NEW NORMAL GOSSIP MERCH!

Merch v3

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Patrick Redford

Handball referees Marcus Helbig (l) and Lars Geipel show the new blue cards in Leipzig, Germany, 1 August 2016. The two will be refereeing at the Olympic games for the second time. PHOTO: JAN WOITAS/DPA | usage worldwide (Photo by Jan Woitas/picture alliance via Getty Images)

Handball referees Geipel and Helbig go to Olympics for 2nd time

Soccer

Soccer’s Rulemakers Are Rolling Out Blue Cards

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Lauren Theisen

Damontae Kazee fails to tackle Josh Allen

AFC Wild Card Playoffs – Pittsburgh Steelers v Buffalo Bills

The Steelers Let It Not-Slide Away

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Luis Paez-Pumar

Nathaniel Clyne of Crystal Palace is challenged by Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Jack Harrison of Everton, leading to a red card for Dominic Calvert-Lewin, during the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Crystal Palace and Everton at Selhurst Park on January 04, 2024 in London, England.

Crystal Palace v Everton – Emirates FA Cup Third Round

Game’s Gone

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Barry Petchesky

PROVIDENCE, RI - JANUARY 03: Referee Jeffrey Anderson calls a blocking foul during a college basketball game between Marquette Golden Eagles and Providence Friars on January 3, 2018, at the Dunkin Donuts Center in Providence, RI. Marquette won in overtime 95-90 . (Photo by M. Anthony Nesmith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

COLLEGE BASKETBALL: JAN 03 Marquette at Providence

Underexplained Lists

Referee And Umpire Signals It’s Fun To Do From Your Couch, Ranked

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

Dan McQuade in front of a march madness basketball court

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Dan McQuade

Najee Harris #22 of the Pittsburgh Steelers hurdles Rudy Ford #20 of the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium on November 12, 2023 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

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The Steelers Stink! They Might Be A Playoff Team!

Referee Eric Lewis #42 looks on during the game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Golden State Warriors during the Western Conference Semi Finals of the 2023 NBA Playoffs on May 4, 2023 at Chase Center in San Francisco, California. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)

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NBA Referee Eric Lewis Abruptly Retires Before Twitter Burner Drama Can Be Resolved

Eric Lewis #42 looks on during the game during round two game seven of the 2023 NBA Playoffson May 14, 2023 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images)

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Someone Tweeted NBA Referee Eric Lewis Out Of An NBA Finals Assignment

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Giri Nathan

This Twitter Account Is Unusually Dedicated To Defending The Honor Of NBA Referee Eric Lewis

DALLAS, TEXAS - MARCH 22: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks reacts after a call in the second half against the Golden State Warriors at American Airlines Center on March 22, 2023 in Dallas, Texas. 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. (Photo by Tim Heitman/Getty Images)

Golden State Warriors v Dallas Mavericks

Mark Cuban Files Futile Protest Over Weird Call In Mavericks Loss

Boston, MA - January 28: Los Angeles Lakers SF LeBron James falls to his knees in frustration after the final play of regulation. The Lakers lost to the Boston Celtics, 125-121, in overtime. (Photo by Barry Chin/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)

Los Angeles Lakers (121) Vs. Boston Celtics (125) At TD Garden (OT)

There’s No Sense In The Lakers Crying Over The Unavoidable

Seattle Seahawks v Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Who Are NFL Refs Talking To?

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Mike Evans Wrote Down A Thing: The NFL’s Finest Minds Investigate

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Touchdown Tom Has Done It Again

Blake Coleman kicks the puck past Mike Smith for a non-goal

Edmonton Oilers v Calgary Flames – Game Five

I Never Want To Hear The Phrase “Distinct Kicking Motion” Ever Again So Help Me God

Here's Mauer on that stupid Whitlock show

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Former NBA Referee Ken Mauer: I’m A Big Asshole

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Laura Wagner

Kyle Kuzma #33 of the Washington Wizards looks on against the Portland Trail Blazers during the second half at Capital One Arena on January 15, 2022 in Washington, DC. 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. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

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Nets Assistant Coach Contributes “Horseshit” Steal In One-Point Win Over Wizards

Oregon player Kayvon Thibodeaux stands with his hands on his hips. He's number 5. white shirt, gold/yellow helmet, yellow gloves.

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College Football

The Replay Review That Wasn’t

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Chris Thompson

The Crackdown On Unnatural Motions Is Working

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.

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Drew Magary

CLEVELAND, OHIO - OCTOBER 17: Referee Carl Cheffers #51 calls a defensive penalty during the fourth quarter of the game between the Cleveland Browns and the Arizona Cardinals at FirstEnergy Stadium on October 17, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)

Arizona Cardinals v Cleveland Browns

Funbag

You Don’t Want AI Refs

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The NFL Refs Are Going Wild With The Taunting Flags Already

Jrue Holiday goes the other way following a Chris Paul turnover.

Basketball Saved The Finals From The Refs

EAST HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT - JULY 01: Tobin Heath #7 of United States celebrates with Christen Press #11, Alex Morgan #13, Lindsey Horan #9 and Emily Sonnett, #14 after scoring a goal against Mexico at Rentschler Field on July 01, 2021 in East Hartford, Connecticut. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

Mexico v United States

Extremely Confused Referee Deems USWNT Wondergoal Too Cool To Exist

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Ray Ratto

Brooklyn Nets v Denver Nuggets

There’s Only One Solution To Bad Refereeing

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NHL Quickly Distances Itself From Referee Shenanigans

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - MARCH 03: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz is escorted off the court after being ejected during overtime against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center on March 03, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)

Utah Jazz v Philadelphia 76ers

The Jazz Lack The Lost Art Of Working The Refs

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