A decades-old connection between a Central Michigan University alumnus and one of the most infamous family tragedies in United States history is drawing attention following an HBO documentary, The Cult Behind the Killer: The Andrea Yates Story.

Michael Woroniecki working out for spring training

Michael Woroniecki, a CMU alumnus and former member of the university’s 1974 Hall of Fame football team, later became nationally known for his connection to Andrea Yates. She is a Texas woman convicted of drowning her five children on June 20, 2001. According to an ABC News article from 2002, Woroniecki has repeatedly denied responsibility and rejected how his role has been portrayed.

In statements published on his website, Woroniecki has strongly rejected claims that his beliefs contributed to the tragedy, accusing media producers of distorting events for profit.

“We are currently the victims of a malicious Hollywood media gossip narrative built on a deliberate mendacity of lies surrounding a tragic event that occurred nearly 30 years ago,” Woroniecki wrote.

Central Michigan Life reached out to Woroniecki. He did not respond to our emails.

CMU roots and football career

Woroniecki’s relationship with CMU extended beyond simply being a student-athlete. According to a 2002 Central Michigan Life article, he was dealing with personal challenges, exploring his faith and becoming more noticeable on campus.

Woroniecki attended CMU beginning in 1972 on a football scholarship and later graduated with a bachelor’s degree in psychology.

He played on the CMU football team during the early 1970s and was a member of the 1974 team, which was later inducted into the CMU Athletics Hall of Fame in 2004.

“I really went through hell on the team when I got saved,” Woroniecki said in the article. “The rejection was terrible.”

On his website, he described CMU as the place where his identity fractured, between athlete, student and emerging religious figure. Woroniecki reflected on the isolation he experienced while living in the residence halls.

“I remember sitting in my dorm room chair contemplating what kind of life awaited me,” he wrote. “How could I bear this?"

Afterward, Woroniecki said he shifted his focus to religious leadership on campus, taking on roles in Christian organizations and preaching publicly.

"I spent the rest of my days in college going through a gauntlet of ordained experiences as the President of Fellowship of Christian Athletes while also preaching on campus, being welcomed into numerous organizations of all denominations," he wrote.

The 1974 CMU Football Team, Michael Woroniecki placed farthest right in the 4th row down. Courtesy CMU Athletics

Life after CMU and the Yates family connection

After graduating, Woroniecki married Rachel, a former CMU cheerleader. According to Central Michigan Life's article published in 2002, the couple traveled across the country preaching Christianity while living in a bus.

During those travels, they met Rusty Yates and his wife, Andrea. Woroniecki became the Yates' spiritual mentor. He said Andrea appeared open to his teachings.

“We knew the first three children,” Woroniecki said in the article. “My kids babysat them, and we all played together.

“Although Rusty ended up being a hypocrite, Andrea wanted to follow the Lord."

The HBO Documentary explained that Woroniecki would send the Yates family tapes of his teachings.

Andrea was convicted in March 2002 of capital murder and sentenced to life in prison for the deaths of her five children, who were found drowned in the family’s bathtub, a case that later drew attention through documentaries and media.

But Woroniecki said on his website that critics have exploited the case.

“When the tragedy involving Andrea Yates occurred, it became a gold mine for my enemies,” he wrote, adding that the narrative favors “sensationalism over substance.”

Woroniecki emphasized that he was never consulted by authorities.

“The Texas court tried and convicted Andrea Yates and never once contacted me,” he wrote. “All that matters to us is to stand for Jesus Christ, who knows all truth and sees every motive."

Woroniecki was never tried, charged or found legally guilty in connection with the drownings. According to his website, he continues to travel and preach to many across the world.

Scholarly perspective on his religious teachings

Sara Moslener is a professor in the Department of Philosophy, Anthropology and Religion at CMU, who studies high-control religious movements. She said Woroniecki’s teachings align with an extremist religious framework.

After reviewing Woroniecki’s theology, Moslener said its apocalyptic focus stood out.

“What I noticed with Michael is that he is very much about the end times and preparing people for the end of the world,” she said. “That always shows up in extremist religious rhetoric because it’s highly manipulative.”

She said such language can be used to enforce authority.

“That rhetoric can be weaponized in any way he needs,” Moslener said.

She warned that movements centered on individual authority often raise long-term concerns.

“The leaders of these churches claim all authority,” Moslener said. “Their word becomes God’s word.”