Taking a Lesson from the Turn Left League

As some on you may know, I am an avid sports fan. Unfortunately, my days of lacing them up ended with a slide into second base in softball game several years ago; spikes up, knee torn up. As this was not the first time my knee was damaged, these days, a brisk walk is about as good as it gets.

The last week has been a devastating one for much of professional sports. With allegations of dog-fighting against a star quarterback, an NBA referee accused of betting on games and Barry Bonds about to break the all-time home run record, it has been a dark week in sports. With the above legal issues, all three leagues are represented in this hall of shame.

Ironically, while all of these sports are popular and profitable, none of them can boast that they are the most watched, on television or in person. Today, NASCAR, the racing league that grew out of roots of bootleggers in the South, is the most watched and attended event in our country today. Interestingly enough, the only bad press NASCAR gets is when Tony Stewart gets angry with someone driving his Home Depot Monte Carlo into the wall. (Notice the endorsement speak here. If you have watched NASCAR, you will know that I had to practice my NASCAR-speak to get that right.)

Is it a coincidence that NASCAR is the most watched sport? Is it a coincidence that NASCAR drivers and pit crews are never tied to dog-fighting, steroids, gambling and the like? I don't think so. Having spent time with drivers and talking with people in NASCAR over the years, it is clear that NASCAR does not want that kind of attention given to their sport and works to build a Christian, family environment every week at every track. When was the last you watched a baseball game with included a pre-game, on field prayer officiated by a pastor who is member of the league's official outreach group?

NASCAR was built around entertaining families, much like baseball. But while baseball players went on strike, took steroids and corked bats, the NASCAR leadership insisted upon higher standards. Just like football and baseball players, every driver has a contract; however, unlike the gridiron stars and hoopsters, NASCAR drivers have explicit language in their contracts relating to personal conduct. The language in these contracts allows team owners and NASCAR to terminate contracts when a driver's behavior is detrimental to the sport.

Can you imagine the Major League Baseball Players Association of the NFL Players Association going for this? Each of these unions have battled for years on drug testing, all the while, players from each league continue to be arrested for a myriad of charges.

While many people will argue that the Turn Left League is not a sport, I would suggest that the other professional sports unions get in line and take a lesson. While the spotlight shines on Barry Bonds, Michael Vick and the NBA referee, never has there been a greater need for leadership in American sports.