Not All Athletes Are Corrupt

In a world of sports that includes cheating refs, betting players, steroids, rape, drugs, murder, and animal abuse, it's sometimes difficult to find a reason to rally behind a team or a player without feeling the slighted tinge of guilt over some of the crimes that may or may not be taking place off the court/field. Scoop Jackson offers a glimmer of hope in this month's ESPN magazine.

What do you do when you are asked to speak at a camp?

You know nothing about the camp, just that they are playing ball. The camp has been around for only eight years in Chicago and has no NCAA, pro-am or shoe company connection or backing. You ask what big names have come through or been a part of the camp, and they tell you no one. But they tell you that the theme of the camp this year comes from the mind of Nelson Mandela.

You investigate. Find out that the camp is not really about basketball, but about education through basketball. It's called "Books 'N Hoops." Emphasis on books. A camp where both girls and guys play ball in T-shirts with "The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall" on their backs. Mandela has their backs.

Read about the rest of the heroic ventures on ESPN.com