CULTURE

Footer Column 2

Footer Legal

Footer Main

Nav Bar

OTHER

SPORTS

Subscribe, at any level, to play

Thanks for your interest in Defector Crosswords!

Become a subscriber today to get unlimited access

Thanks for reading!

Plans start at $8/month.

Subscribers enjoy unlimited, ad-free browsing.

Register to continue

Or click here to subscribe for unlimited, ad-free access!

Our gift to you: This year's post is unlocked. Register your email to get even more free articles.

Welcome to the 2025 Hater's Guide!

Just register your email:

This blog is free to read.

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.

Defector


<p>charismatic megafauna (they/them)</p>


Sabrina Imbler

a still of ESPN reporter Lindsey Thiry batting away a big bug

What Big Bug “Attacked” An ESPN Reporter At Rams Camp?

Lauren Theisen

view from the dirt cam as the Yankees look down on it

Tiny, Innocent Dirt Cam Menaced By Confused Goliaths

Kathryn Xu

Dominic Smith of the Atlanta Braves scores after a throwing error by Owen Caissie.

Oh No! Outfielders Have Forgotten How To Play Defense!

Barry Petchesky

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - MAY 10: Hector Borg #80 and Drew Gilbert #0 of the San Francisco Giants prepare for the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Oracle Park on May 10, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Andy Kuno/San Francisco Giants/Getty Images)

The Giants Will No Longer Be Pummeling Each Other With Their Crotches

Giri Nathan

Mitchell Robinson staring at the camera, with the caption "Fire in my eyes"

Everything OK Over There, Mitchell Robinson?

Kelsey McKinney

Oneil Cruz swings, the ball touching his bat on the sweet spot just in front of home plate.

Bonk! This Ball Went Somewhere New!

This picture taken on November 13, 2023 shows a view of interior of the pilot cockpit and flight deck of a Boeing 777-9 jetliner aircraft

Life's Rich Pageant

“Strong Fish Smell In Cabin,” And Other Pilot-To-Ground Texts

A racegoer holds an umbrella which is inside out on Grand National Day of the Randox Grand National Festival 2026 at Aintree Racecourse.

Please Enjoy These Photos Of Damp And Drunk People At An English Horse Race

Alex Caruso tries to block a shot with his shoe

Oklahoma City Thunder Defense Innovates With Sneaker Block

Samer Kalaf

This Is So Stupid

Victor Wembanyama Sighting Confirmed In Brooklyn

Alex Sujong Laughlin

An image of (left to right) Maddie Mastro, Breezy Johnson, and Maxime Germain with their knitted creations, taken from their respective Instagram accounts.

Olympics

Let’s Check In With The Knitting Olympians

Dave McKenna

Jarrell Miller reacts to his toupee falling off in a heavyweight bout against Kingsley Ibeh during the Ring 6 fight at Madison Square Garden on January 31, 2026 in New York City.

The Fights

Jarrell Miller Got His Hair Punched Off And Became A Hero

Patrick Redford

Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Los Angeles Clippers reacts during the first half of their game against the Brooklyn Nets at Intuit Dome on January 25, 2026 in Inglewood, California.

Clippers Win, Sentencing Blogger To Eat Words

Matt Ryan Ate Dinner And Did All His Homework, So He Gets To Be President Of Football

Maitreyi Anantharaman

College Basketball

If Syla Swords Takes A Shot But The Clock Is Frozen, Did It Actually Happen?

Tom Ley

Zohran Mamdani holding up a photo of Ian Wright

Can Zohran Mamdani Keep New Yorkers Safe From Remembering Some Arsenal Guys?

FBI and Border Patrol officers arrest Sean Charles Dunn, after he allegedly assaulted law enforcement with a sandwich, along the U Street corridor during a federal law enforcement deployment to the nation's capital on August 10, 2025 in Washington, DC. U.S. President Donald Trump ordered an increased presence of federal law enforcement to Washington, DC in an effort to curb crime.

If The Sub Didn’t Split, You Must Acquit

A circle around the mark Jaylen Brown left on OG Anunoby's jersey during a game

Jaylen Brown’s Really Leaving His Mark On Opponents

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


Dan McQuade

Rick Mathews holding a sign that says "ALL" on a children's coaster to say he has all of them.

The Journey Of All 1,091 U.S. Roller Coasters Ends With A Toot Around The Track

Fianna Fail presidential candidate Jim Gavin leaving the first presidential debate on The Tonight Show, at Virgin Media Television Studios in Dublin. Picture date: Monday September 29, 2025.

Politics

Small-Time Political Scandals Still Have Consequences In Island Nation Called Ireland

Charles Omenihu #90 of the Kansas City Chiefs grabs the face mask of Geno Smith #7 of the Las Vegas Raiders during the first quarter in the game at Arrowhead Stadium on October 19, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri.

A Thorough And Depressing Review Of The Raiders’ Three First Downs

Two little Yorkies, one owned by Isabelle Harrison and one owned by Dan Campbell.

Sports Yorkie Showdown: Whose Pup Is Punier?

TORONTO, ON - September 17 Head Coach Craig Berube chats to the media.

The Maple Leafs Can’t Seem To Get Out Of The First Round Against Punctuation

Samer Kalaf in a Hell Gate hat at the Mets game

TNT Sports Airs Guerrilla Marketing For Worker-Owned Website That Isn’t Defector

Three images, stills from a baby race on a basketball court at a Las Vegas Aces WNBA game. The first one is the baby, clad in pink, crawling. The second is the baby taking her first steps! The third is the baby hugging her mom as she reaches the finish line walking. The crowd is going wild the whole time.