Former Wisconsin tight end Jack Pugh died recently, according to the program.
Pugh, who spent the 2021-23 seasons with the university before retiring due to mental health concerns, died Monday night at 24 years old, per memorialsource.com.
“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,” the football team posted to its X account. “More than that, he cared about people and was loved by teammates and staff. Jack proudly earned his degree from UW-Madison in 2025 and will forever be remembered and loved.”
Jack Pugh (center) played for Wisconsin. Facebook / Kenna Lyn McClelland Pugh, a Columbus, Ohio native, joined the Badgers for the 2021 season as a four-star recruit, according to ESPN’s rankings.
He earned his way onto the team despite not playing football his first two years at Hilliard Bradley High School due to his focus on basketball, per The Athletic.
Pugh did not play his freshman year and suited up just once in the 2022 season, and announced in December 2023 that he opted to “medically retire” before the season began.
Pugh did not catch a pass in his time with the Big Ten school.
“My physical health was not near perfect, but my mental health was the reason I decided to hang it up. Over years of prolonged depression and substance abuse, I decided I deserved a better life and to finally find happiness,” he posted at the time, per the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Wisconsin announced Pugh’s death Tuesday. Wisconsin Football/X “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 didn’t want to be alive for years.
“I never had prioritized my mental health all along, digging a deeper darker hole. 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.”
Jets running back Braelon Allen, Pugh’s teammate with the Badgers for those three seasons, posted to his Instagram Story the post from Wisconsin announcing the news.
He also wrote on X on Monday night at 7:54 p.m. ET: “Protect your mental.”
