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Defector

Ray Ratto

CP3 Hands Out A CPT

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)

Soccer

Soccer’s Rulemakers Are Rolling Out Blue Cards

Lauren Theisen

Damontae Kazee fails to tackle Josh Allen

The Steelers Let It Not-Slide Away

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.

Game’s Gone

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)

Underexplained Lists

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

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


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.

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)

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

Referee, Szymon Marciniak reacts during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 leg two match between FC Porto and FC Internazionale at Estadio do Dragao on March 14, 2023 in Porto, Portugal.

Champions League Final Ref Says He Was “Misled” Into Attending Notable Racist’s Networking Event

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)

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

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)

Mark Cuban Files Futile Protest Over Weird Call In Mavericks Loss

Fans are seen waving flags inside the stadium as they await the unveiling of new FC Barcelona Head Coach Xavi Hernandez during a press conference at Camp Nou on November 08, 2021 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Barcelona Insists There’s Nothing Weird About Paying A Referee $1.3 Million

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)

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

Joseph Ossai hits Patrick Mahomes late in the AFC Championship game

The Bengals’ Season Came Down To One Late Hit

A board signifying 14 minutes of first half stoppage time is seen during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group B match between England and IR Iran at Khalifa International Stadium on November 21, 2022 in Doha, Qatar.

Where Is All This World Cup Stoppage Time Coming From?

Who Are NFL Refs Talking To?

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

Touchdown Tom Has Done It Again

Kalyn Kahler

HOUSTON, TX - JANUARY 07: Back judge Shawn  Hochuli #83 and side judge Allen Baynes #56 carry a game ball to the Oakland Raiders locker room before the game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on January 7, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)

How NFL Teams Scout The Refs

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MARCH 27: Referee Scott Foster #48 during the second half of the NBA game at Footprint Center on March 27, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the 76ers 114-104. 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 Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

The NBA’s Actual Ref Problem, Explained

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

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

Here's Mauer on that stupid Whitlock show

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

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)

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.