Former Wisconsin Tight End Jack Pugh Dies at 24

University confirms death of former Badgers player who previously retired citing mental health struggles; teammates and program remember him as a 'positive light'.

Haika Mrema

Published: 4/1/2026, 11:51:51 PM EDT

Former Wisconsin Tight End Jack Pugh Dies at 24 — Footballs sit on the field in a file photo. (Scott Halleran/Getty Images)

Former University of Wisconsin football player Jack Pugh has died at the age of 24.

The university confirmed his death in a statement shared by its football program on March 31. Details surrounding the circumstances, including the cause of death, were not immediately released.

In its statement, the school reflected on Pugh’s presence within the program, emphasizing both his character and relationships with others.

“The Wisconsin athletics family is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Jack Pugh,” the University of Wisconsin Football Team's official account on X said in a post. “Jack was a positive light and brought a genuine spirit to our football program.”

The statement continued by highlighting his impact beyond the field.

“More than that, he cared about people and was loved by his teammates and staff,” the university added, noting that Pugh earned his degree from UW-Madison in 2025.

Pugh, a native of Columbus, Ohio, joined the Badgers as part of their 2021 recruiting class. According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, he was considered a four-star prospect despite only playing football during his final two years of high school. Prior to that, he focused primarily on basketball at Hilliard Bradley High School.

Pugh appeared in limited action while also earning academic All-Big Ten recognition in 2022. His final year with the program was 2023, during which he stepped away for personal reasons.

Later that year, Pugh publicly announced his decision to retire from football in a post on Instagram, citing ongoing struggles with his mental health. In that message, he described the reasoning behind his departure from the sport.

“My physical health was not near perfect, but my mental health was the reason I decided to hang it up,” Pugh wrote. “Over years of prolonged depression and substance abuse, I decided I deserved a better life and to finally find happiness.”

He also clarified that football itself was not the source of his difficulties while describing the extent of his internal struggles.

“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,” he wrote. “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,” he concluded.

Following news of his death, former teammate and New York Jets running back Braelon Allen shared a message on social media expressing his reaction to the loss.

“Protect your mental,” Allen wrote.