TAMPA – After watching Alex Rodriguez admit to steroid use on TV last week, the Taylor Hooton Foundation reached out to the tainted superstar to help raise awareness about steroid use among high-school athletes.
“We think he is a very credible spokesman,” said Don Hooton, the president of the foundation and the father of Taylor Hooton, a Texas high-school athlete whose suicide in July 2003 was linked to steroid use.
“There were no discussion of finances, but we are hopeful that he can open doors to cooperate sponsorship.”
Hooton was on hand for Rodriguez’s press conference yesterday.
“Since we began talking to him, we have found his sense of regret is genuine and his commitment to help is strong,” said Hooton, a cousin of former big-league pitcher Burt Hooton.