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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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<div class="author-header-content">
<p>Charles P. Pierce is a writer at <em>Esquire</em> and the author of four books, most recently <em>Idiot America</em>, and has been a working journalist since 1976. He lives near Boston with his wife but no longer his three children.</p>
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Charles P. Pierce

FOXBOROUGH, MA - OCTOBER 24: A pylon-camera is seen during an NFL football game between the New England Patriots and the Chicago Bears at Gillette Stadium on October 24, 2022 in Foxborough, Massachusetts.

Chicago Bears v New England Patriots

Things We Actually Like

Blessed Be The Pylon Cam

LOGAN, UT - SEPTEMBER 14: Caleb Lohner #84 of the Utah Utes catches a touchdown pass over JD Drew #3 of the Utah State Aggies during the first half of their game at Maverik Stadium on September 14, 2024 in Logan, Utah.(Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)

Utah v Utah State

College Football

Football Will Live Or Die With Its Rivalries

Olga Kharlan of Ukraine celebrates as she wins bronze medal after competing against Choi Se-bin (not seen) of South Korea in the Fencing Women's Foil Individual on day three of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Grand Palais in Paris, France on July 29, 2024.

Olympic Games Paris 2024 – Fencing

Olympics

Olga Kharlan Came All The Way Back In Paris

Portland Trail Blazers' Bill Walton, who received many accolades for his performance on the court, is depicted here. Walton would later go on to pursue a career off the court as a sports broadcaster and an actor in feature films.

Portrait of Bill Walton

Bill Walton Let His Joy Flourish

College Basketball: NCAA Final Four, North Carolina State David Thompson (44) victorious with net after winning game vs UCLA, Greensboro, NC 3/24/1974

North Carolina State David Thompson, 1974 NCAA Semifinals

College Basketball

50 Years Later, My First Final Four Is Still The Best

UConn center Donovan Clingan celebrates during the team's Elite Eight win in Boston during the 2024 NCAA Tournament.

Illinois v Connecticut

UConn Is Exhaustingly, Relentlessly Great

New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick chats with QB Bailey Zappe in the first half. The Patriots beat the Pittsburgh Steelers, 21-18.

New England Patriots (21) Vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (18) At Acrisure Stadium

The Patriots Are Reverting To Type

Texas Tech Red Raiders v Boston College Eagles

The Life Of That Unhappy Bobby Knight Is Brought To An End

Tim Wakefield of the Boston Red Sox throws a knuckleball, in profile

wakefield

Tim Wakefield Was A Wizard For The Working Day

Ukraine's Olha Kharlan (L) refuses to shake hands with Russia's Anna Smirnova, registered as an Individual Neutral Athlete (AIN), after she defeated her during the Sabre Women's Senior Individual qualifiers, as part of the FIE Fencing World Championships at the Fair Allianz MI.CO (Milano Convegni) in Milan, on July 27, 2023.

FENCING-ITA-WC-SABRE-WOMEN

Olga Kharlan’s Stand Had History Behind It

Enrique Hernandez #5 of the Boston Red Sox makes an error as he throws to second base during the second inning of a game against the Tampa Bay Rays on June 3, 2023 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts.

Tampa Bay Rays v Boston Red Sox

The Red Sox Have Never Felt Smaller

Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat looks on during Round 3 Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals 2023 NBA Playoffs against the Boston Celtics on May 17, 2023 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts.

Jimmy Butler pointing

Jimmy Butler Is A Good College Player In Reverse

NEW ORLEANS, LA - APRIL 4: Domantas Sabonis #10 of the Sacramento Kings drives to the basket during the game against the New Orleans Pelicans on April 4, 2023 at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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

Sacramento Kings v New Orleans Pelicans

When Domantas Sabonis Leads The Kings Into The Playoffs, I Hope Dale Brown Is Watching

Bryan Park Charlestown Ma. Refurbishment Project 12-17-15 Media event unvailing finished project.

2016 Bridgestone NHL Legacy Initiative powered by Constellation

Marty Walsh Has His Work Cut Out For Him

Justin Jefferson makes a one-handed catch

Minnesota Vikings v Buffalo Bills

Great Hands Are Forever

Governor Charlie Baker

Death To The NCAA

Charlie Baker Is The NCAA’s Attempt To Put The Horses Back In The Barn

Kazuyoshi Miura of Japan falls after the FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifier final round match between Iraq and Japan at the Al-Ahly Stadium on October 28, 1993 in Doha, Qatar.

Iraq v Japan – FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifier Final Round

Soccer

What’s Changed And What Hasn’t Since I Covered Soccer In Qatar 30 Years Ago

2015 Fencing Grand Prix Boston – Day 2

Elder Wisdom

The Coach Who Made Fencing Fun

Tiger Woods celebrates on the eighteenth green after winning the 1997 Masters tournament at Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia, on April 13 1997. Woods finished with a record eighteen-under-par. / AFP PHOTO / Timothy A. CLARY (Photo credit should read TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty Images)

GOLF-MASTERS-WOODS

Golf

Tiger Woods, But Not Me, 25 Years Later

Le_Petit_Journal_-_25_August_1907,_Vere_St._Leger_Goold

History

The Wimbledon Finalist With The Body In His Suitcase

Atlanta Braves v Boston Red Sox

All Of A Sudden, The Red Sox Are Too Good To Be Angry With

Hagler V Leonard

The Fights

Marvelous Marvin Hagler Wouldn’t Bend

K. C. Jones

K.C. Jones Always Owned The Room

during the International Rules Series match between Ireland and Australia at Croke Park Stadium on November 21, 2015 in Dublin, Ireland.

Ireland v Australia – International Rules Series

100 Years On, Bloody Sunday Still Bleeds