FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

JON GRAY JOINS TAYLOR HOOTON FOUNDATION’S

ADVISORY BOARD OF MAJOR-LEAGUE PLAYERS

Rangers Right-hander Steps Up to Help Educate Young People        

About the Dangers of Appearance and Performance Enhancing Substances

McKinney, Texas (Wednesday, February 22, 2023) – The Taylor Hooton Foundation announced today that Jon Gray of the Texas Rangers has joined its “Advisory Board” of active players from throughout Major League Baseball. The Taylor Hooton Foundation is widely acknowledged as the leader in the advocacy against the use of Appearance and Performance Enhancing Substances by the youth of America.

The Rangers’ right-hander joins 23 other members of the Hooton Foundation’s “Advisory Board,” which will include at least one player from all 30 major-league teams. Gray replaces Eli White as the Rangers’ representative on the board.

The MLB Advisory Board is made possible by the commitment of the Professional Baseball Strenghth & Conditioning Coaches Society (PBSCCS).

“We’re thrilled to have Jon join an incredible group of major-league players who have stepped up to serve as positive role models,” said Taylor Hooton Foundation President Donald Hooton, Jr. “We’re also very proud of the support that Major League Baseball and these elite athletes provide in sending a positive message to kids that they, too, can accomplish all of their dreams without the use of drugs. The participation of these players in our efforts to educate young people that using these substances is not the right choice cannot be overstated.”

As members of the “Advisory Board” – formed in 2014 and fully endorsed by Major League Baseball – the players are participating in the THF’s 2023 public-service campaign, ALL ME®. For the campaign, a print PSA featuring each of the Foundation’s “Advisory Board” members has been created – with images provided by THF national partner, Getty Images – and will be made available to each player’s respective team for its program/magazine and other team platforms for the ‘23 season. In addition, ALL-ME-themed print PSAs will appear in Major League Baseball’s 2023 All-Star-Game, League-Championship-Series and World-Series programs.

In addition to their participation in the public-service-ad campaigns since 2015, members of the “Advisory Board” also take part in the THF’s educational activities in their local communities. Board members have also provided their input on the most-effective ways to educate North America’s young people about the dangers of anabolic steroids and other appearance and performance enhancing drugs.   

To date, the Taylor Hooton Foundation has spoken to and educated more than two-million people, speaking to thousands of athletes, coaches and parents in partnership with Major League Baseball.

2023 Members of the Foundation’s “Advisory Board” – to date – include:

Mark Melancon (Arizona Diamondbacks)

Adley Rutschman (Baltimore Orioles)

Chris Sale (Boston Red Sox)

Kyle Hendricks (Chicago Cubs)

Lucas Giolito (Chicago White Sox)

Tyler Stephenson (Cincinnati Reds)

Amed Rosario (Cleveland Guardians)

Charlie Blackmon (Colorado Rockies)

Matthew Boyd (Detroit Tigers)

Hunter Dozier (Kansas City Royals)

Anthony Rendon (Los Angeles Angels)

Clayton Kershaw (Los Angeles Dodgers)

Jacob Stallings, Miami Marlins

Christian Yelich (Milwaukee Brewers)

Christian Vázquez (Minnesota Twins)

Eduardo Escobar (New York Mets)

Jose Trevino (New York Yankees)

Aaron Nola (Philadelphia Phillies)

Ke’Bryan Hayes (Pittsburgh Pirates)

Craig Stammen (San Diego Padres)

Tommy Edman (St. Louis Cardinals)

Evan White (Seattle Mariners)

Jon Gray (Texas Rangers)

José Berrios (Toronto Blue Jays)

CONTACT:   Rick Cerrone / Rick Cerrone Communications

(914) 715-5491 / rick@rickcerrone.com

About The Taylor Hooton Foundation: The Taylor Hooton Foundation is a 501c3 non-profit organization that is dedicated to educating North America’s young people about the dangers of anabolic steroids and other Appearance and Performance Enhancing Substances. The friends and family of Taylor Hooton formed the Foundation in 2004 after his untimely death at 17 years old following his use of anabolic steroids.

For more information about the Taylor Hooton Foundation and its efforts, please visit www.taylorhooton.org and www.allmeleague.com.