The Wisconsin football community has been struck by the tragic loss of Jack Pugh, a 24-year-old former player who passed away. The school has confirmed the news, leaving a deep void in the hearts of those who knew him. Pugh, a tight end for the Badgers from 2021 to 2023, retired due to mental health reasons, as reported by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. No cause of death has been released at this time.
On Tuesday, March 31, Wisconsin football shared a tribute to the former player. "The Wisconsin athletics family is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Jack Pugh," the school said. "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."
Pugh, a native of Columbus, Ohio, was a four-star recruit for the Badgers despite only playing football for his final two years in high school. He was highly recruited by Michigan, Penn State, Michigan State, Maryland, and Minnesota, according to the Journal Sentinel. In 2023, Pugh announced his retirement on Instagram, stating that his mental health had been the reason for his decision to hang up his cleats.
"My physical health was not near perfect, but my mental health was the reason I decided to hang it up," he wrote at the time. "Over years of prolonged depression and substance abuse, I decided I deserved a better life and to finally find happiness." He continued, "In no way was football the root of these problems, but everything in my life had distracted me for so long that I didn’t want to be alive for years. I never had prioritized my mental health all along, digging a deeper darker hole."
Pugh went on to thank his coaches, teammates, and others for their support. "I’ll never forget the memories. Love y’all," he wrote.
Pugh’s former teammate and New York Jets running back Braelon Allen shared the news of his death on social media on Monday night, adding a heartfelt message to his followers. The entire football community mourns the loss of this young man who brought so much joy and positivity to the field and those around him.
