Jack Pugh, a former University of Wisconsin tight end who left the sport to prioritize his mental health, has died at age 24, the school confirmed Tuesday. No cause of death has been released as of press time.
In a statement shared by the program, the university said, “The Wisconsin Athletics family is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Jack Pugh. Jack was a positive light and brought a genuine spirit to our football program. More than that, he cared about people and was loved by his teammates and staff. Jack proudly earned his degree from UW-Madison in 2025 and will forever be remembered and loved.”
Originally from Columbus, Ohio, Pugh joined Wisconsin in 2020 as a highly regarded recruit with multiple Division I offers. He redshirted during the 2021 season and later appeared in one game in 2022, earning academic All-Big Ten recognition that year.
In December 2023, Pugh publicly revealed he had decided before the season to medically retire. In an Instagram post, he opened up about his struggles, writing: “My physical health was not near perfect, but my mental health was the reason I decided to hang it up,” and “Over years of prolonged depression and substance abuse, I decided I deserved a better life and to finally find happiness. In no way was football the root of these problems, but everything in my life had distracted me for so long to the point I never had prioritized my mental health all along, digging a deeper darker hole.” He also expressed gratitude to those around him, adding, “I want to thank the amazing Coaches, Teammates, Friends and Family @badgerfootball has provided me with over the years for helping me find a life I’m happy and proud of, and to finally create a relationship with God. I’ll never forget the memories. Love y’all.”
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available by calling or texting 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. You can also call the network, previously known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, at 800-273-8255, text HOME to 741741 or visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for additional resources.
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