It’s my Parting Shot for my reactions to the headlines in today’s Star-Phoenix Sports Section…..

First headline…Here come the C-F-L Playoffs, thankfully, Name that Backup in regular season finale but now it’s over. My reaction…yeah, I will moan about all the lineup shuffling and starting players resting in the final week tomorrow when T-F-P reveals how he fell short of his 60 per cent goal of correctness for the 2026 season. It should be easier to predict playoff winners tomorrow in this space. I will not only have winners of this weekend’s division semi-final games, but the victors in the other three games, including the 113th Grey Cup Game from Calgary on November 15! Don’t expect some big upset from The Fearless Predictor!!

Next headline…Dakar Rally will be moved from Saudi Arabia in 2027. Reaction…I’d be shocked if this is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to high-profile sporting events being moved out of the Middle East while the U-S insists on being involved in a conflict with Iran. The place that I worry about getting hit as collateral damage with this issue is Dubai and the United Arab Emirates! That’s when the poop will really hit the fan in the world!!

Last headline…N-F-L fans turn Paris into a tailgate, Americans who attended Saints-Steelers game say civil unrest proved to be non-issue. My reaction…sounds like Pittsburgh quarterback Aaron Rodgers would be surprised with that sentiment. He stated that he didn’t agree with the N-F-L playing a game that compromised the safety of players and their families because of the France-wide protests over school funding, rising living costs and police brutality that were a daily occurence and shown vividly on television news reports. Well, the fans had no problems and, if Aaron Rodgers and other players were so concerned about the safety of their families – leave them at home in the Excited States! For the most part, the rest of the world is very intrigued by the N-F-L – makes you wonder if they could play a game in Dubai – or even Saudi Arabia?! Maybe that’s too much tempting of fate!!

That’s my Parting Shot. I’m Les Lazaruk…and it turned out nice again!