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

First headline…Trio of former Roughriders to be recognized by the team, Latest class of Plaza of Honour inductees happy, humbled and shocked by distinction. My reaction…The fact that Rob Bagg, Dan Clark and Paul McCallum are all happy and humbled with being honoured by Saskatchewan’s C-F-L franchise isn’t shocking. The fact that they’re surprised at being selected shouldn’t be! Rob Bagg was a smallish, fleet, Canadian receiver who made big plays at big times throughout his Green and White career, making him immensely popular with Rider Nation. The popularity, alone, is enough to earn him a spot in the Plaza of Honour. Dan Clark, like Bagg, was a member of the 2013 Grey Cup championship team and played 140 total games at centre, regular-season and playoffs, over 11 seasons with the Roughriders. Along with a Jake Gaudaur Veterans Award, Clark was a Saskatchewan staple which deserves recognition. McCallum was first inducted into the Canadian Football Hall-of-Fame, hence he deserves to be in the Plaza of Honour – no matter that he missed a chip shot field goal in a West final at B-C Place that got him run out of town! One missed kick shouldn’t totally define his contributions over 13 seasons in Green and White, especially since he’s top two in franchise history in field goal and punting stats! Again, not shocking that these three are being inducted on October 17!!

Next headline…Robotic runner sets world record. Reaction…my goodness – robotic runners, A-I – oi, stop the world and let me off! Yes, I’m seniors age and technology is tough for me to keep up with. I know that one day, I will watch as a robot or some kind of artificial intelligence will call play-by-play of sports events in place of humans such as myself! My question is, how soon will that happen?!

Last headline…S-G-A among three M-V-P finalists. My reaction…the thing that is probably driving many N-B-A fans based in the good ‘ol U-S of A is that none of the three finalists are American. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is Canadian, Nikola Jokic is Serbian and Victor Wembanyama is from France. I wonder what U-S President Donald Trump thinks…besides his usual fake news line?!

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