The NTSB report on this accident certainly mentions the AA unusual attitude training as a possible contributor.
It would be instructive to read exactly what technique American Airlines published for unusual attitude recovery. Can any reader provide a link? While the NTSB report apparently stated the AA unusual attitude training as a possible contributor, the term "possible" means just that. A good lawyer would make mincemeat of "possible."
Certainly Boeing (737) suggest that cautious use of appropriate rudder pedal input may be necessary to assist in recovering from a nose high low airspeed attitude if elevator or stab trim is insufficient to drop the nose, and a roll input is needed to allow the nose to drop to the horizon.