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Defector

Giri Nathan

Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder dunks after a steal against the LA Clippers at Staples Center on January 16, 2017 in Los Angeles, 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. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Russell Westbrook Was Total

Patrick Redford

Russell Westbrook when he was still with the Oklahoma City Thunder

Russell Westbrook Was Singular

Ray Ratto

Scott Ostler of the San Francisco Chronicle interviews an A's player, who is sadly Addison Russell, during Spring Training in 2014.

Journalismism

Who Told Scott Ostler He Was Allowed To Retire?

Lauren Theisen

Pro Wrestling

Hiroshi Tanahashi Leaves An Unfillable Void In Japanese Wrestling

Dave McKenna

Terence Crawford reacts after defeating Canelo Alvarez for the Undisputed &amp; Ring Magazine Super Middleweight Championship at Allegiant Stadium on September 13, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The Fights

With Nothing And Nobody Left To Conquer, Terence Crawford Retires

Albert Burneko

John Wall #2 of the Washington Wizards dribbles to the basket against the Los Angeles Lakers

John Wall Was Too Fast

Maitreyi Anantharaman

Diana Taurasi #3 of the Phoenix Mercury reacts during the first quarter against the Seattle Storm at Climate Pledge Arena on June 04, 2024 in Seattle, Washington

WNBA

Who Had Diana?

Diana Taurasi bites her sixth Olympic gold.

Diana Taurasi Retires After Winning Everything There Is To Win

Hubie Brown watches action prior to a game between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Philadelphia 76ers at Fiserv Forum on February 09, 2025 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

There Could Only Be One Hubie Brown

Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates after the men's singles final match at the French Open.

Tennis

Rafael Nadal Found Process In Pain

CINCINNATI, OHIO - SEPTEMBER 24: Joey Votto #19 of the Cincinnati Reds acknowledges the crowd before his first at-bat during a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Great American Ball Park on September 24, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Joey Votto Just Got It

Candace Parker #3 of the Los Angeles Sparks reacts after receiving her fourth foul against the Minnesota Lynx during the second quarter of Game One of the WNBA finals at Williams Arena on September 24, 2017 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Candace Parker Remade The Game In Her Image

Kevin Borseth slams down piece of paper at a 2008 postgame press conference

College Basketball

As He Heads Out, Let’s Remember Kevin Borseth’s Remarkable Entrance

Miguel Cabrera fields a ground ball at first for the last time

Miguel Cabrera, First To The Last

Fans stand and cheer as Miguel Cabrera walks to the dugout

Miguel Cabrera Was Always Worth It

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


Chris Thompson

A smiling Stephen Strasburg is enveloped in an involuntary group hug during the 2019 season.

Let’s Remember A Time When Stephen Strasburg Enjoyed Playing Baseball

Tom Ley

Megan Rapinoe #15 of the United States celebrates her goal in the first half against France during the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France Quarter Final match between France and USA at Parc des Princes on June 28, 2019 in Paris, France.

Soccer

Megan Rapinoe Couldn’t Have Done It Any Better

LeBron James talks to press after the Lakers' Western Conference Finals loss to the Nuggets

LeBron Compliments Nikola Jokic’s Big Basketball Brain And Contemplates Retirement

Rafael Nadal announces his withdrawal from the French Open

Rafael Nadal Will Be Out Of The French Open, And Out Of Tennis After 2024

Tom Brady looking gaunt at a press conference.

Tom Brady Gets It Over With

Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot #8 of the Phoenix Suns stands on the court during a break in the third quarter of a preseason game against the Los Angeles Lakers at T-Mobile Arena on October 05, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Suns defeated the Lakers 119-115.

Let’s Remember Some Guys Who May Or May Not Play In The NBA Ever Again

A general view of Roger Federer of Switzerland playing a volley at the net during his match against Rafael Nadal of Spain during the Men's Singles Semifinals on Centre Court during the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club at Wimbledon on July 12, 2019 in London.

Roger Federer Knew The Play Was The Thing

Roger Federer waves to the crowd at Wimbledon.

Roger Federer Is Retiring

Serena Williams of the United States reacts in the third set against Ajla Tomlijanovic of Australia during their Women's Singles Third Round match on Day Five of the 2022 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 02, 2022.

Serena Williams Played Her Way To Mythos

Serena Williams of the United States serves against Nuria Parrizas Diaz of Spain during the National Bank Open, part of the Hologic WTA Tour, at Sobeys Stadium on August 8, 2022 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.