Donald Hooton Sr., founder of Taylor Hooton Foundation, passes away at 76

Donald Hooton Sr., founder and executive chairman of the Taylor Hooton Foundation -- widely acknowledged today as the leader in the advocacy against the use of performance-enhancing and appearance-enhancing substances by the youth of America -- passed away on Tuesday, Nov. 10, at his home in McKinney, Texas, at age 76.

While working in worldwide business development with Hewlett-Packard (HP), he became a prominent national advocate against the use of performance-enhancing and appearance-enhancing substances by youth following the tragic suicide of his youngest son, Taylor, at age 17 in 2003.

With wife, Gwen, Mr. Hooton founded the Taylor Hooton Foundation in 2004 and, over the next 23 years, the foundation's team has spoken directly to over 3 million people through educational programs across the United States about the dangers of anabolic steroids and dietary supplements.

“Don Hooton was a tireless advocate for educating young people about the dangers of performance- and appearance-enhancing drugs,” said MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred. “For more than two decades, Major League Baseball was proud to partner with Don and his family in advancing this important mission. His dedication made a lasting impact on our sport and on countless young people across the country. On behalf of Major League Baseball, I extend my deepest condolences to the entire Hooton family.”

Said New York Yankees President and THF Executive Board member Randy Levine: “Today was a great loss. Don was a very special man who singularly brought the surge of steroids to the public’s attention. He showed great courage and strength while mourning the loss of his son, Taylor, and will be remembered forever as a fighter for young people’s health.”

On March 17, 2005, Mr. Hooton appeared as an expert witness before a U.S. Congressional committee -- alongside major leaguers Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, Rafael Palmeiro and Jose Canseco -- in its investigation of the use of anabolic steroids in Major League Baseball.

After his personal testimony, Mr. Hooton was contacted by then-MLB Commissioner, Allan H. “Bud” Selig, who suggested that the Foundation work directly with MLB in its advocacy against the use of performance-enhancing and appearance-enhancing substances by the youth of America.

“I can honestly say that I never met a more sincere man than Don in my entire career in baseball,” said Selig. “When the steroid thing was going on, he did something about it. He went and talked to every club -- players, owners, everybody. And he battled steroids to the very end. He was a great man who dedicated his life to the elimination of steroids. He helped me over and over with that problem.”

In 2014, the Foundation formed an MLB-endorsed advisory board of active Major League players that now includes representatives from all 30 MLB teams.

Advisory board members participate in public-service campaigns, including the current "I AM ENOUGH," which was launched in 2026. A print PSA featuring each of the Foundation’s advisory board members is made available to each player’s respective team for its program/magazine and other team platforms. In addition, "I AM ENOUGH"-themed print PSAs appear in MLB’s 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 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.

Mr. Hooton regularly collaborated with state legislatures, government officials and major sports leagues (including MLB and the NFL) to promote drug-free sport and youth safety.

Donald Hooton was born in Longview, Texas, on March 30, 1950, to Claude and Mary Julia Hooton. He is survived by his wife, Gwen (Hopkins), son, Donald, daughter, Mackenzie, and four grandchildren.