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This, apparently, has been weighing on Buono and when it was pointed out he’s been making those tough decisions for 30 years, he bristled.

“You never get used to it. I hate it. I will never, ever miss making those decisions then having to follow through on them. I’ll be so happy when I don’t have to do it anymore.”

But look at the bright side, Wally. At least that day is coming soon.

Photo by Jeff McIntosh / THE CANADIAN PRESS

As the Lions prepare for 2017 and the promise of a new season, there appears to be much which is unsettled about the franchise and the status of their resident coaching icon. In an extraordinary move, owner David Braley took to the Lions’ website a couple of weeks ago and announced the team, “has to be sold,” and that sale could occur, “this year, next year or the year after.”

Yes, that narrows it down.

Buono for his part, has a contract that runs to 2018 but it’s believed the coaching portion of that deal expires at the conclusion of this season. So is this finally it for the old Lion? Will he hang around to oversee the transition to the new owner?

Or, and here’s a good one, will he sign an extension out of loyalty to Braley while the sales process unfolds?

You have to admit, that’s a lot of questions and with those questions come a sense of uncertainty. But in his five decades in the CFL, Buono has also adopted a Zen-like approach to those things which are beyond his control. He trusts Braley. The future will play out as it will play out.

In the meantime, where are we going to find a good Canadian receiver?